Clinton says Mongolia is good example of democracy

TOKYO, July 9 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday Mongolia is a good example of democracy in its region, state-run Montsame News Agency reported.
"Mongolia is successfully making steps towards ensuring human rights and freedom, implementing laws and to ensuring the transparency," Clinton was quoted as telling Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj during their meeting in Ulaanbaatar.
"Mongolia aims to strengthen the democracy and to establish the justice by ensuring human rights and freedom, and in this, an intensive economic growth gives many opportunities," Elbegdorj said.
He expressed hope that Clinton's visit will significantly contribute to intensifying of the Mongolia-US relations and cooperation and will strengthen the democracy, according to Montsame.
"We are fighting against corruption and are reforming the court in order to establish the justice. I am confident that Mongolia will gain achievements in strengthening democracy, overcoming any challenges or problems because our country is open and its people have freedom," the president said.
He also noted investments from the third neighbors, especially from the US, have been increasing to the sectors of mining, technology, infrastructure and education, besides, Mongolia wants to equally distribute benefits of mineral resources to people. With its vast deposits of coal, copper and iron ore, Mongolia's economy grew by 17.3 percent in 2011 and foreign investment, including Anglo-Australian giant Rio Tinto.
Clinton arrived in the Mongolian capital from Tokyo earlier in the day. She also addressed the meeting of the Governing Council of the Community of Democracies, as well as an international women's conference.
Clinton is scheduled to visit Hanoi on Tuesday after Ulaanbaatar to meet senior Vietnamese leaders and witness the signing of several agreements covering education exchanges and commercial contracts. (end) mk.sd KUNA 091801 Jul 12NNNN