RI, Mongolia to upgrade ties

RI, Mongolia to upgrade ties

MONGOLIA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her Mongolian counterpart Natsagiyn Bagabandi agreed on Saturday to upgrade bilateral ties by establishing an embassy in each other's country.

Although bilateral relations date back to 1956, neither country has an embassy in the other. The Indonesian Embassy in Russia serves Mongolia, while the Mongolian Embassy in Malaysia covers Indonesia.

Megawati said during the meeting on Saturday that Indonesia's intention to open an embassy in Mongolia had been proposed to the country's Prime Minister Nambar Engkhbayar during his visit to Jakarta in October last year.

Indonesia, said Megawati, was eager to step up diplomatic relations with Mongolia.

"There are many things that the two countries need to improve on as soon as possible," Megawati said, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Mongolian President Natsagiyn said he believed that Megawati's visit to his country would open a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral ties.

A memorandum of understanding on a joint commission for the two countries' bilateral cooperation was signed after the meeting. -- Antara