AKIPRESS.COM - President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa met with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future in New York on September 24, Montsame reports.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Khurelsukh expressed his condolences for the heavy rain disaster in the Noto Peninsula of Japan.

Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the Mongolia's understanding regarding the postponement of his visit to Mongolia in August due to the response to the earthquake that occurred in Japan. President Khurelsukh also expressed his appreciation for Japan's consistent support for Mongolia's economic development until today.

The two leaders agreed to further strengthen and expand cooperation between Japan and Mongolia as special strategic partners both in the political and economic fields.

The two leaders reaffirmed that the principles set out in the 2022 Joint Statement, such as maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, are becoming increasingly important, amid the deepening of conflict and division in the international community.

In addition, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to continue to steadily promote concrete cooperation based on the direction of the Japan-Mongolia Action Plan (2022-2031). The two leaders welcomed that the two governments, as the result of the intergovernmental negotiations, agreed in principle on the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, and concurred on aiming for early signature of the document.

Prime Minister Kishida expressed his intention to keep working together with the Mongolian side towards improving the airport facilities in light of the growing passenger demand at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, a new symbol of the bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional affairs, including the situation in North Korea. Regarding North Korea, both sides confirmed that they would continue to work closely together, including the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Prime Minister Kishida once again expressed his appreciation for Mongolia's understanding and cooperation on the abduction issue.