Last November President Bush visited Mongolia during a week-long tour of Asia. During his visit, he saluted the 160 “fearless warriors” Mongolia sent to Iraq.

While an enormous distance separates the United States and Mongolia, George Bush to maintain a longstanding relationship based on mutual strategic principles and U.S. aid

THE U.S.-Mongolian relationship is longstanding and based on common strategic interests, which include trade, reform, education, the fight against terrorism and the promotion of democracy worldwide. Furthermore, the U.S. believes that Mongolia’s position, between Russia and China, is important for regional relations.

As part of a recent trip through Asia, President Bush stopped in Ulaanbaatar to meet with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, and discuss the continued and steady growth of their alliance. President Bush reaffirmed U.S. support for Mongolia’s efforts and praised the progress it has made towards becoming a stable democracy with civil liberties and a free market economy.

The U.S. has sought to expand relations with Mongolia in economic and cultural fields.

The U.S. also stands behind Mongolia’s commitment to economic and political reform, as the U.S. has provided more than $100 million during the last seven years in assistance and training for Mongolia’s reform programs. In Mongolia’s efforts to reduce poverty while fostering economic growth, President Bush congratulated Mongolia on being eligible for the Millennium Challenge Account, a program which rewards developing countries that show a dedication to reform. Furthermore, Mongolia employs a full-time American policy-adviser to the prime minister, who works with the government and provides advice for reform initiatives dealing with privatization, pensions, banking reforms and energy.

Both presidents are looking to develop a closer bilateral economic and trade relationship, and are working together on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The two leaders also agree on the need to step up cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting, money laundering, terrorist financing, and other types of transnational crime. Mongolia supports, along with the U.S., the Proliferation Security Initiative, which seeks to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The Eurasian country is likewise eager to contribute to international peace efforts.

In the fight against terrorism, the U.S. has Mongolia’s support, as both agree that a free and democratic Iraq is vital to foster peace and stability in the Middle East. President Bush has pointed to Mongolia’s success in making the transition to parliamentary democracy 15 years ago as an example for the rest of the world. Mongolia is also eager to develop closer military relations with the U.S. and has sent Mongolian soldiers to Iraq. As a result, the U.S. has given Mongolia $11 million to improve its military forces.