"Komsomolskaya Pravda": "RUSSIA WILL LEND MONGOLIA $300 MILLION"
Vladimir Putin met his Mongolian counterpart Sanjaagiin Bayar yesterday.
The talk lasted more than 3 hours.
"We discussed the possibility of using national currencies - roubles and Mongolian tugriks - in our trade and economic transactions," Mr Putin said after the talks. He noted that trade between the two countries topped $1.3 billion last year, although the initial plan target of $1 billion would not be achieved until the end of 2010.
"We have agreed to extend Mongolia a $300 million loan for the development of agriculture and the purchase of Russian agricultural machinery," Mr Putin continued.
An agreement on cooperation has been signed between Rosatom and the Mongolian Atomic Energy Authority. A joint venture is to be set up between Ulan-Bator Railway and Russian Railways. Mr Bayar said that Russia was helping Mongolia to modernize its armaments and train military personnel.
"Starting this year, the admissions quota for Mongolian applicants to Russian higher educational institutions will be 230 people," Vladimir Putin said. He added that the training of Mongolian specialists for the Defense Ministry of Mongolia at Russian higher education institutions would continue.
Alexander Gamov
