The Russian Prime Minister has completed his three-day trip to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Tokyo and Ulan-Bator.
In the negotiations between the Russian and Mongolian Prime Ministers in Ulan-Bator yesterday interpreters had a holiday because the Mongolian Prime Minister, Sanjaagiin Bayar, who holds a law degree from Moscow University, speaks brilliant Russian.
Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia eight years ago. The figure he then mentioned sticks in my memory: he said trade between the two countries should increase to $1 billion by 2010. At the time it was close to zero.
"We reached that target ahead of schedule, Mr Putin noted yesterday. It was already 1.3 billion in 2008."
The agreements were signed against the background of Mongolian symbols: tridents from which hung horse manes and tails. I was told that these were Genghis Khan's flags.
After the talks Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar presented Putin with the Erdeniin Ochir Order (the name translates as "Precious Staff") for services for friendship between Mongolia and Russia.
The two Prime Ministers then came out into the Sukhe Baatar Square and speeded explorer Fyodor Konyukhov on the international expedition along the Great Silk Road.
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KP's reference note
The international caravan expedition along the Great Silk Road will pass through the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire, Karakorum, and will end in Kalmykia. The Kalmyk Ulus tribes covered the same route in the early 17th century. The expedition uses camels and horses as transport.
By Alexander Gamov