ULAN-BATOR, October 30. /TASS/. Russia is satisfied with a dynamic pace of ties with China and Mongolia, Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said in his opening remarks at the first Russian-Mongolian-Chinese consultations at the deputy foreign ministerial level.
Russia, Mongolia and China share “vast borders, rich historic traditions, firm friendship of peoples, huge potential and vast prospects for practical cooperation, as well as closeness of approaches to international affairs,” Morgulov said.
Russia sees China and Mongolia “not only as close neighbors, but also as time-tested and reliable friends,” he said.
Consultations would focus on cooperation in trade-economic, humanitarian and foreign policy sectors, he said, adding that they were expected to become a basis for future concrete projects.
Mongolia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dambyn Gankhuyag said, “Mongolia is actively cooperating with its neighbors — the Russian Federation and the Chinese People’s Republic — to deepen the existing strategic partnership relations, as well as to give concrete substance to them”.
Chinese’ Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Gopin expressed readiness to join efforts with his counterparts at consultations towards the implementation of the already signed agreements.
The parties are expected to discuss the idea of transit corridors between Russia and China, notably rail and motor roads, a gas pipeline and energy supplies. The agenda will also include steps to invigorate political dialogue in the tripartite format.
As for gas cooperation, the Mongolian side is expected to offer Russia to build a section of the so-called western route pipeline not via the Altai mountains but across its steppe territories. Mongolia’s government says it would help spare large funds. The western route provides for gas supplies to China from West Siberian gas fields. Direct gas supplies are planned to be launched in 2019.
The Ulan-Bator-based newspaper UB Post reminded that earlier in 2014, on September 11, the first meeting of the leaders of Russia, Mongolia and China was held at the initiative of the Mongolian side on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe. The leaders then reached an agreement to continue cooperation between the foreign ministries of the three countries.