Mongolia, U.S. agree to enhance defense cooperation

Enkhbold gifting a Mongolian horse to Esper following meeting to enhance cooperation ( Montsame)

Ulaanbaatar: United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Mongolia’s Minister of Defense Nyamaagiin Enkhbold have discussed the participation of Mongolia in peacekeeping operations and defense cooperation between Mongolia and the U.S., the official state agency has said.

The Mongolian side noted that the US is a country of top priority in terms of foreign defense cooperation of Mongolia and Mongolia is focusing on increasing defense ties and cooperation with the US, Montsame said in its report about the meeting in Ulaanbaatar.

After the meeting, the Mongolian minister gifted a cream-colored horse to Esper, who, in a gesture of gratitude, named it Marshall after former U.S. Defense Secretary General George Marshall.

As the horse will remain in Mongolia, Esper, who was sworn in last month, gave the caretakers a horse blanket used by the U.S. Army Old Guard and entrusted them to take a good care of Marshall.

Mongolia and the US, which started sending defense attaches to each other’s countries in 1991, are currently maintaining defense ties in favor of improving the capacity of the peacekeeping missions and ensuring regional stability.

For instance, National Security Adviser of the United States John R. Bolton visited Mongolia on July 1 and held a meeting with Enkhbold during which he highlighted the importance of the defense cooperation and military-to-military ties between the two countries. Bolton highly appreciated the Mongolia’s peacekeeping commitment, Montsame said.

The two sides agreed to carry on their partnership on enhancing the capacity of the Mongolian Armed Forces.

MONTSAME