Myanmar, Mongolia anticipate better relations through cultur

NAY PYI TAW, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is currently on a three-day working visit to Myanmar since Tuesday.

His visit came on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Myanmar-Mongolia diplomatic ties and is the second world leader coming to Myanmar since the new government took office in April.

During his visit in Nay Pyi Taw, President Elbegdorj held talks with his Myanmar counterpart U Htin Kyaw on boosting bilateral relations and friendship through cultural exchange.

The two leaders discussed further cooperation in trade, mining, education, environmental conservation and tourism sectors.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation between the two countries.

During his visit, Elbegdorj also met with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi with the pair vowing to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The pair discussed matters concerning democratization and rule of laws, national reconciliation and peace process, and democracy culture.

Protection of natural resources, preservation of heritage and cooperation in power sector were also covered by their talks.

During the visit, a Mongolia-Myanmar Business Council was launched following the signing of an MoU on economic cooperation between Mongolia National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Myanmar counterpart.

Elbegdorj extended invitation to both President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Mongolia and attend the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be hosted by Mongolia on July 15-16.

Elbegdorj paid the first state visit to Myanmar in November 2013 since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1956 and the two countries then signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports of citizens of the two countries.

Elbegdorj addressed a Myanmar-Mongolia business forum in Yangon and also delivered speech at the Yangon University on experience in reform in Mongolia.

Aung San Suu Kyi also last visited Mongolia earlier in April of 2013 in the capacity of then opposition leader and parliamentarian.

According to figures, Myanmar exported textile worth 370,000 U.S. dollars to Mongolia in the last fiscal year 2015-16, while medicines, tyres, soft drinks, computers and related accessories worth 2,000 USD were imported over the fiscal year when the two countries began bilateral trade.