Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh Before Their Meeting

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning, everyone. It's a great pleasure to have Foreign Minister Battsetseg here. We are proud to be Mongolia's third neighbor and also very pleased to be able to launch this Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue between our countries.

Mongolia has really been an oasis for democracy in the region, and together we are building even greater economic resilience, strengthening rule of law, and looking for ways to lift up the well-being of our people. So we have a lot to discuss today, but I think if you look at the relationship - particularly over recent years - we see a strengthening and deepening of ties in so many different ways that I believe will be to the benefit of people in both of our countries. So really welcome having you here today. Look forward to a good discussion.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG: Thank you. Good morning to all. So thank you, dear Antony Blinken, for instilling a warm welcome in the Department of State. And I'm really pleased that I'm here back in Washington after our prime minister's visit, which was held last year in August.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG: So this is first high-level visit between our two countries since we established new government recently and since we established our strategic trade and - Strategic Partnership. So this is an - also place that we are launching the inaugural Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue for the first time. So I think I'm looking forward for fruitful discussion in all spheres, and especially we will talk detail about our communication -

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yes.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG: - and trade cooperation. So thank you for inviting me here, and I'm really pleased to be here.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you so much. Thanks, everyone.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG: Thank you.

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