Newspaper advertising published in the United States last week calls on the U.S. government to cut off aid to Mongolia unless the Mongolian government acts to “eliminate corruption and protect private property.”

Parliament last week (April 17) started initial discussions of the draft amendments to the minerals law in a meeting held behind closed doors for “national security reasons.”

The State Great Hural (Parliament) opened its eighth and last session before the upcoming election this week, under sharp rebuke from President N.Enkhbayar.

It was announced Thursday that Mongolia and Monaco will establish diplomatic relations. According to reports, discussions at the ambassadorial level had been conducted at the United Nations in New York.

S.Bayar, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, will visit the Russian Federation on 10-14, April. An official visit would be made at the end of last but it was extended. The Minister S.Bayar’s visit is being observed by many people.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Sanjaasuren Oyun concluded talks this week with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The talks focused on cementing bilateral relations between the countries. China, in recent years, has made no secret of its seeking access to Mongolia’s undeveloped mineral wealth.

Both of Mongolia’s major political parties agreed to support draft mining laws this week.
The Mongolian People’s Revolution Party (MPRP) and the Democratic Party (DP) both offered support for the laws, which regulates large scale and strategic mining mineral deposits in Tavan Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi.

N.Enkhbayar, the President of Mongolia, received representatives led by Al-Valid bin Talal Abdul Aziz Saud, the Crown Prince, and Amira, the Princess of Saudi Arabia. The Head of the State expressed, he is glad that they are visiting Mongolia.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Sanjaasuren Oyun said Tuesday that his country will use its vast natural resources to forge closer ties with some of the world’s major powers.