Kazakhstan and Mongolia have fruitful conditions for further coop development - Mongolian Foreign Minister Luvsanvandan Bold

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Luvsanvandan Bold answered these and other questions during an interview with Kazinform correspondent.
What is your opinion of the current situation and perspectives of the two countries' cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields?
First of all, I would like to note Kazakh and Mongolian people are fraternal. They are inherits of nomad civilizations. Our people, preserving national traditions and cultural heritage, join human values, integrate globalization and develop modern economy and culture.
Notwithstanding the historically short and bad timing of transition to market-based economy, the Kazakh-Mongolian relations have developed significantly for the last 20 years.
In a word, our countries have fruitful conditions for further development of bilateral relations and collaboration. We have the same or similar positions to ensure regional and global security, regional integration and international cooperation in the political sphere, including the area of foreign policy. By the way, the Mongolian-Kazakh trade and economic cooperation does not correspond to the potential and opportunities available to Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Trade volume has decreased.
However, the businessmen of both countries are seeking opportunities to expand trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. I believe the corresponding state structures of our countries should support the initiatives of the business community.
With regard to international cooperation, Mongolia as an active UN member state supports the initiative and contributes to the process of nuclear disarmament and the reduction of nuclear threat. For our region - this is actually a big problem.
And of course, I heartily congratulate Kazakhstan on a high mission - hosting the international Exhibition "Expo-2017" in Astana. Our country will be presented at the highest level.
Recently Mongolia held presidential elections, and before that parliamentary elections. What should kazakhstan expect of the new leadership? Will the relations between our countries change?
You are right. Following the victory of the Democratic Party in the parliamentary and presidential elections, there is a new political situation in the country. The newly elected President, the majority in Parliament are the representatives of the Democratic Party.
Our party, along with the other three parties has formed a new government. It is, maintaining the continuity of Mongolia's foreign policy, committed to promoting the political cooperation, development of diplomatic relations with all UN member states, and comprehensive development of foreign economic cooperation.
We regard Kazakhstan as a traditional partner, in other words, we will consistently develop, as agreed earlier, multifaceted partnership with friendly Kazakhstan.
In your opinion, what measures should be taken to strengthen and expand trade, economic and investment cooperation between our countries?
I suppose, actions of the Kazakh-Mongolian parliamentary commission on trade-economic, scientific technical and cultural cooperation should be activated.
Recently, Prime Minister of Mongolia met with the Kazakh Ambassador and following the meeting, Mr. Bold instructed the Mongolian Foreign Ministry to make up a list of questions for joint consideration. This work has already been launched. We intend to cooperate with the Kazakh colleagues closely.
The trade volume has decreased over the last years. In 2012, the trade turnover amounted to USD 24 million, as for the results of the first seven months of the current year, it has increased and made USD 19 million. To expand cooperation the both countries could make a list of goods and services that might be delivered or provided.
We plan to held business forums and build upon participation of Kazakhstan's companies. In addition, we will change the legislation to provide softer terms for Kazakhstani investors. For our part we will make every effort to reach the new level of the bilateral trade economic and investment collaboration between our countries.
Meeting of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is scheduled on September in Bishkek? What do you think about two countries' cooperation within the SCO?
Mongolia is an observer state of the SCO. Representatives of our country take part in the SCO deferent events. Mongolia stands for partaking in multilateral infrastructural, economic projects which will be implemented within the SCO. We lean on Kazakhstan for support, as Kazakhstan is the SCO high-powered member sate.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan, as landlocked nations, have the common interest for subsidized transit promotion in frames of the relevant international organizations. In this context, I would like to suggest Kazakhstan assisting our initiative on establishment of the International Analytic Center Think Tank in Ulan-Bator, with the participation of other landlocked countries, and joining the multilateral agreement on the Center establishment.
Best wishes to people of Kazakhstan, our friends and brothers. I believe we will do our best to develop cooperation in the best interests of our people and countries.
I would like to thank Kazinform News Agency for this opportunity to address our friends in Kazakhstan.
Thank you for the interview!