While receiving newly accredited ambassador Hoang Tuan Thinh in capital Ulan Bator this week, President Elbergdorj affirmed that his country considers Vietnam a “practical bridge” in cooperation with other Southeast Asian members.

He highlighted the relationship between the two nations and expressed his hope that Vietnam would continue to support Mongolia’s effort to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the East Asia high-level dialogue, and the ASEAN Plan of Action.

The president praised Vietnam’s increasing role in the international arena, particularly in assuming of role of ASEAN Chairmanship this year.

He recalled his meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet at a recent ceremony in Moscow to mark the 65^th anniversary of Russia’s victory over fascists, and congratulated Vietnam on its joining the Conference on Interaction and Conference-building Measures in Asia (CICA) at the recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ambassador Thinh conveyed President Triet’s invitation to President Elbergdorj to visit Vietnam at a convenient time and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure. The diplomat pledged to do his utmost to further promote bilateral cooperation.