By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Germany and Mongolia announced Wednesday the signing of an agreement to establish a strategic partnership during a two-day visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.
“The parties emphasized the importance of the state visit … and announced the signing of the Joint Declaration on ‘Strategic Partnership’ to improve the level of relations between the two countries,” according to a statement by the Mongolian presidency, following a news conference by Steinmeier and his Mongolian counterpart, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.
Indicating that the parties emphasized the importance of Steinmeier’s visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ties, the statement said both presidents discussed the joint implementation of large-scale projects and programs to strengthen cooperation.
It further said that Steinmeier and Khurelsukh exchanged views on “pressing issues of international relations and expressed their willingness to make joint efforts for global peace and sustainable development.”
“The parties highlighted the signing of documents on intergovernmental agreements, economic diversification, improvement of legal and judicial capacity, cooperation in sustainable energy, culture, education, science, environment and archaeology,” it said.
It added that Germany has provided more than €530 million ($570.8 million) in support in the past 30 years and that the parties noted optimism about the development of relations and cooperation for the next 50 years.
The agreement serves to upgrade relations between Germany and Mongolia, which previously stood at the level of comprehensive partnership following an agreement in 2008.