Putin’s visit to amplify Mongolia - Russia trade
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Russia and Mongolia committed to boosting trade to 10 billion USD by 2020, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s five-hour visit to Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday.
Although Russia owns 51 percent of Ulaanbaatar Railways and 49 percent of state-owned Erdenet copper mine, trade with Mongolia has been dropping steadily in recent years.
Mongolia-Russia trade stood at 1.6 billion USD in 2013, down 16 percent from the previous year. Trade is expected to be boosted to 10 billion USD by 2020 by cooperating in railway and transportation development, according to Putin and Elbegdorj. A similar arrangement to boost trade was made during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last month.
Putin hinted at interest in the Mongolian meat industry, noting that there is potential for export in the sector, provided Mongolia is able to meet Russian standards.
Mongolian President Ts.Elbegdorj said during a press conference that Putin’s visit was in relation to the 75th anniversary of the 1939 victory of the Battles of Khalkhiin Gol over Japan, and highlighted that major issues related to economic growth and infrastructure were addressed.
“This year the people of Mongolia and Russia are jointly celebrating the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Battles of Khalkhiin Gol. The bilateral relations between our two countries have faced many historic challenges,” said President Elbegdorj.
The President of the Russian Federation expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized that the victory at Khalkhiin Gol is one of the brightest pages in the history of mutual relations between the two countries.
In relation to the visit, officials of Russia and Mongolia signed 14 agreements pertaining to cooperation in the infrastructure, transportation, aviation, petroleum, military and communications sectors.
President Elbegdorj high lighted that the much talked about visa-free travel agreement has been signed.
Putin’s visit, his third since 2000, underlines Mongolia’s growing significance in the region, according to experts. Mongolia has enjoyed high level visits from China and Japan this year, which brought about major agreements on boosting trade and economic ties.
President Elbegdorj stated that a new page in Mongolia-Russian ties has been turned through Putin’s visit and that he expects “great outcome” in both countries as a result.
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Russia's Putin in Mongolia for 5-hour visit
http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/09/02/4117301_putin-traveling-to-mongolia-for.html?rh=1
ULAN BATOR, MONGOLIA — Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Mongolian counterpart on Wednesday during a five-hour working visit to a traditional friendly neighbor amid soaring tensions with Washington and NATO over a Kremlin-backed offensive in Ukraine.
Putin and Elbegdorj Tsakhia met in the capital, Ulan Bator, for discussions on increasing trade and upgrading transit links. They were to oversee the signing 13 agreements across a range of fields before Putin's late afternoon departure.
Moscow firmly controlled Mongolia during the Cold War and retains considerable influence over this vast landlocked nation sandwiched between Russia and China. Mongolia relies on Russia for almost all of its gasoline and diesel fuel and much of its electricity.
Moscow also holds a 51 percent stake in Mongolia's railway and a 49 percent stake in its largest state-owned copper mine.
With Western investment declining, the Alaska-size country of 3 million people is turning increasingly to China and Russia to support its mining and animal herding-based economy, while also maintaining close ties with the U.S. and others as a counterbalance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit last month, during which the sides pledged to almost double their annual two-way trade to $10 billion by 2020.
In contrast, trade with Russia fell by 16 percent to $1.6 billion in 2013 versus the year before, and dropped by another 13 percent in the first six months of this year, according to Russian figures. That was attributed to reduced demand for oil products, machinery and equipment as a consequence of the ailing Mongolian economy.
Coming so soon after Xi's visit, Putin's stop in the country is a further indication of the increased significance Mongolia's neighbors are playing in its economic development, said Neil Ashdown, an expert on Mongolia at London-based information and analysis firm IHS.
Despite Mongolia's transition to Western-style democracy, the two countries remain close, something seen in the positive views of ordinary Mongolians, particularly the older generation, Ashdown said. Attitudes toward China tend to be somewhat less trusting, reflecting fears of being swallowed up by their giant neighbor.
With Western investment declining, the Alaska-size country of 3 million people is turning increasingly to China and Russia to support its mining and animal herding-based economy, while also maintaining close ties with the U.S. and others as a counterbalance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit last month, during which the sides pledged to almost double their annual two-way trade to $10 billion by 2020.
In contrast, trade with Russia fell by 16 percent to $1.6 billion in 2013 versus the year before, and dropped by another 13 percent in the first six months of this year, according to Russian figures. That was attributed to reduced demand for oil products, machinery and equipment as a consequence of the ailing Mongolian economy.
Coming so soon after Xi's visit, Putin's stop in the country is a further indication of the increased significance Mongolia's neighbors are playing in its economic development, said Neil Ashdown, an expert on Mongolia at London-based information and analysis firm IHS.
Despite Mongolia's transition to Western-style democracy, the two countries remain close, something seen in the positive views of ordinary Mongolians, particularly the older generation, Ashdown said. Attitudes toward China tend to be somewhat less trusting, reflecting fears of being swallowed up by their giant neighbor.
Mongolians to invest in Hollywood
http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=11601
A Mongolian production team of around ten members is collaborating with Hollywood producers for the film, “Precious”, and will be investing 1.5 million USD.
The members of the production team wished to remain anonymous.
Many famous Hollywood actors, including Gary Oldman, Harvey Keitel, and Christopher Walken are to star in the film, and auditions are currently being held. The audition for Mongolian actors and actresses haven’t started yet.
It can be said that Mongolian artists mostly get foreign investments. In that sense, Mongolian production lifespan is considerably short as it’s only screened in Mongolian cinemas. This time, Mongolians are investing in a Hollywood production, which will enable many more opportunities. Not only will the production go into world markets and return sufficient amount of profit to Mongolia, but also open Hollywood’s doors to Mongolian artists.
Film researchers and enthusiasts are making uproar on the rapid development of the South Korean film industry. Korea’s secret for a rapid development was that they attained global recognition by investing in Hollywood films and featuring their own actors and actresses in feature films. Their latest products were “Lucy” and “Walking Dead”.
“Precious” is giving Mongolia the chance to compete head-to-head against other Hollywood producers. By investing in foreign film industries, Mongolians are promoting Mongolia through Hollywood film productions.
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108 Faces of Mongolia’ shares a rare history
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The exhibition features selections from the private photo archive of Czechoslovakian archaeologist Lumir Jisl, and is supported by the History Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Czech Embassy. Lumir Jisl took many historical and rare photos while he was working in Mongolia between 1957 and 1963.
Lumir Jisl was born on April 18, 1921. He studied Mongolian, Tibetan, and Japanese cultural history. Books he wrote about Mongolia have been translated to German and English. His film “Way to Tibet” was awarded at the Venice Film Festival.
A Mongolian-Czechoslovakian joint expedition led by Lumir Jisl found the fossilized head of Turkic General Kul Tigin. In addition to the research in Mongolia, Lumir Jisl took some nice shots of the Mongolian lifestyle at that time.
Only 108 of 2,000 photographs are displayed in this exhibition. Most of the photos are related to religion. Head of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel, representatives from the Czech Embassy in Mongolia, Ya.Vatsek PhD and scientists from Charles University of Prague attended the opening reception.
Historian and Professor from the Central Asia Institute of Charles University, Veronika Kapishovskaya was interviewed about the rare collection of photographs.
How did you come across these rare and historical photos?
Lumir Jisl wrote a few books about Mongolian culture and Buddhism. To get information about his research, I met his two daughters. We decided to exhibit his collection.
How did you choose the 108 photos on exhibit? Will the remaining photos be displayed later?
We chose the best qualified photos. His daughters would be able to display their father’s complete archive.
Lumir Jisl wrote this note after his first visit to Mongolia in 1958: “My aim is done, and it’s time to return home. But it feels like everything was a miracle. Gifts from friends, photos, the fresh smell of wormwood assures me that it’s not a miracle. Green valley, blue sky, golden sands, amiable nation… Oh, my beloved Mongolia. I’m not satisfied even though my dreams came true. How deeply I love you, Mongolia. You will be always on my mind.”
The “108 Faces of Mongolia” exhibition will open in Prague next month.
Source: Unuudur
Trans. by L.NANDINTSETSEG
Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=11393