Ukraine Gets Offer to Mine Gold In Mongolia

Kyiv will develop its trade and economic cooperation with Mongolia, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma stated after his meeting with head of this country Natsagiin Bagabandi in Kyiv. Mr. Kuchma, in part, stressed Ukraine’s interest in deliveries of “copper, molybdenum, and other rare earth metals” from Mongolia. During the negotiations Mongolians proposed that Kyiv take part in copper and gold mine workings, reports Interfax Ukraine. In Pres. Kuchma’s words, the presidents also discussed “the issue of participation in the Shanghai Five and in organizing the activities of the Eurasian Economic Community.” The parties also reached agreement on Mongolia’s support of Ukraine on its way to joining the World Trade Organization. Messrs. Kuchma and Bagabandi discussed their countries’ cooperation with NATO and spoke in favor of intensifying military and technical cooperation between their countries. Both Mongolian and Ukrainian military equipment was produced mostly in the former Soviet Union. “It is clear to us that this requires modernization, and we had a very serious discussion on the subject,” said Mr. Kuchma.

As a result of the Mongolian president’s visit to Ukraine, a number of documents were signed, in part, an intergovernmental agreement on avoiding double taxation, an agreement between the Ministries of Education of Ukraine and Mongolia on cooperation in the sphere of science and technology for 2002-2005, and an agreement between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of both countries.