Mongolia and NATO hold High-level talks in Ulaanbaatar

  • 25 May. 2011 - 27 May. 2011
  • |
  • Last updated: 21 Mar. 2012 23:18

The NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. James Appathurai, travelled to to Ulaanbaatar from 25-27 May 2011 for the first high-level talks between Mongolia and NATO.

James Appathurai, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy (center left) and Minister of Defence of Mongolia, Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold (center right) posing with staff

He met with the President of Mongolia, Mr. Tsakhia Elbegdorj  in order to discuss Mongolia’s proposals for the development of a partnership with NATO. Mr. Appathurai also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.  Gombojav Zandanshatar, the Minister of Defence Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold, with Secretary of the National Security Council Mr. Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin, and with the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Security and Foreign Policy Committee  Mr. Yaichil Batsuuri.

During the visit,  Mr. Appathurai also discussed ideas for specific Science for Peace and Security projects with the Secretary General of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Mongolia is a valued contributor to NATO-led operations. Earlier this month, Mongolia dispatched an infantry platoon to provide flight-line security to Kabul International Airport.  Mongolia has participated in NATO’s ISAF operation in Afghanistan with important contributions to force protection in the Feyzabad area since March 2010 and has sent  infantry, artillery and air mentor trainers to the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan in Kabul.  From December 2005 to March 2007, Mongolia paid a valuable contribution to the NATO-led KFOR operation in Kosovo with an embedded platoon within the Belgian contingent.