Mongolia Brief December 23, 2014 Part I



Fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Mongolian Gobi
December 23 (news.mn) Petrified dinosaur eggs were discovered this past September in Zuunbayan in Sainshand sum of Dornogovi Province.

All 15 fossilized dinosaur eggs were found by road workers from Dornogovi AZZA. The amazed road workers did not report the findings right away.
The workers sent the news about the fossilized dinosaur eggs to the Dornogovi Province museum  last month. It is still unknown what species the eggs belong to.

Consortium of China’s Shenhua Energy, Japan's Sumitomo and Mongolia’s Energy Resources Wins Tender to Develop Tavan Tolgoi Coal Deposit
December 23 (infomongolia.com) On December 17, 2014, it was reported that a workshop chaired by recently appointed Minister of Mongolia M.Enkhsaikhan hosted a meeting to select a winning investor as partner to develop Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit located in Umnugovi Aimag of Mongolia and about 240 kilometers north of the Chinese border that has 7.4 billion tons of coal reserves.
Two days after on December 19, the workshop opened financial offers submitted by the two parties that overcome the thresholds to bid for Tavan Tolgoi development, which are the Consortium comprised of China’s Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, Mongolia’s Energy Resources LLC and America’s Peabody Energy Corporation.
At the introducing of these two bidders, representatives from both sides along with working group Chairman M.Enkhsaikhan, Minister of Finance J.Erdenebar, Executive Director of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC Ya.Batsuuri, who appointed as the workshop Secretary as well as representative from affiliated state and NGOs were present.
Afterwards, Group Chairman M.Enkhsaikhan and Secretary Ya.Batsuuri held a meeting with representatives of the Consortium and Peabody Energy Corporation and exchanged opinions with both parties.
On December 22, 2014, the winner of the tender to develop Tavan Tolgoi’s both East and West Blocks was announced as the Consortium comprised of China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, Energy Resources LLC that is eligible to establish the “Agreement of Strategic Investor as Partner for the Tavan Tolgoi Deposit” with the Government of Mongolia.
The winning Consortium will be investing to develop the Tavan Tolgoi, but the Government of Mongolia will retain full ownership of the deposit.
The Government of Mongolia resolved to announce a tender in 2010 and a year later 6 proposals from Consortiums and Companies out of 15 submitted participants were selected, but during the negotiation parties could not reach a consensus on investment conditions and agreement since 2011.
According to criteria:
- The Winner is eligible exploit, explore and increase reserve of coal
- Within 2.5 years to create a capacity to process at least 30 million tons of coal per year and export VAT included coal
- To cover the debt to Chalco and be responsible for the agreement
- To construct on its own expense the fundamental infrastructure of railroad between Tavan Tolgoi and Gashuun Sukhait, and after 30 years of operation to transfer 51% of ownership to the Government of Mongolia at no cost.
Related:

Mongolia to Celebrate Nationwide 70th Anniversary of Victory of Liberation War
December 23 (infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on December 22, 2014, it was agreed to celebrate nationwide the 70th anniversary of the Historical Victory of the Liberation War as marked the end of World War II in 1945.
Mongolia will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory across the country in 2015 and this great occasion is considered by scholars as Mongolian-Soviet troops played a decisive role in the victory of the war to stop alien invaders in Asian region.
In this sense, the 70th anniversary of the Victory of the Liberation War is a joint commemorative event and efforts of Mongolian, Russian and Chinese people and soldiers of the Armed Forces.
Welcoming the anniversary, Mongolia will carry out several measures to perpetuate soldiers merit contribution and the value of the victory as well as honoring veterans and their patriotism, also, to organize set of measures to conduct promotional events, release Jubilee Medal and stamps. Moreover, Mongolian Government officials led by the President Ts.Elbegdorj are invited to participate in the Grand Parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945, which will be celebrating at Red Square in Moscow in 2015.
Related:

Nominees of Nat’l Council of Public Television Submitted to Parliament
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Government S.Bayartsogt Tuesday submitted to the Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold names of nominees for the national council of the Public Radio and Television’s membership.
Enkhbold Zurgaanjin and Zolbayar Baast are nominated for becoming members of the Mongolian National Public Radio and Television.

A.Bakei MP Re-Elected
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) On Tuesday, the parliamentary Standing committee on state structure discussed a matter on electing its head.
Majority of the committee considered as necessity to elect the incumbent head A.Bakei MP who has been offered by the faction of the Democratic Party (DP). Apart of electing the new head, the Standing committee postponed a discussion of a bill on public hearing, initiated by the President. 

Cabinet Approves Establishing Diplomatic Relations with Eight Countries
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet meeting on December 22 approved to present the issue of establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Haiti, Sovereign Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Chad, and the Republic of Mauritius.
Pursuant to Mongolia's proposals to establish diplomatic ties with 45 countries, such relations were established with 24 countries within the last three years. Today, a total of eight countries have accepted Mongolia’s requests to establish the diplomatic relations that have been submitted through the Embassy in Beijing and the Diplomatic Mission in New York.
These events are taking place in accordance with the direction given for the Parliamentary Standing committee of security and foreign policy in order to expand the country’s foreign interactions. This was has been reflected in the Concept of Security, the Concept of Foreign Policy and in the Government Action Plan for 2012-2016.

Cabinet Gives Directions about New Year Celebrations
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) Officials of the state authorities have been celebrating new years on their own expenses since the first issuance by the Government that outlined obligation towards economizing the state budget. The direction will be observed this year as well.
The budget administrators was obligated on the Cabinet meeting Tuesday not to publish greeting cards in frames of marking the New Year, organize concerts and lottery with expensive costs and not to purchase alcoholic drinks at expenses of the state budget.

Deputy PM Meets US Ambassador
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) The Deputy Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh Tuesday received Ms Piper Anne Wind Campbell, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USA to Mongolia.
Beginning the meeting, the Deputy PM said that Mongolia has formed new cabinet after reaching an agreement on it by political parties at the State Great Khural (parliament) in times of current economic difficult times, and added that Mongolia is always thankful to the US government and people for rendering support since transmitting into the democracy and market economy system.  The bilateral relations and cooperation have been successfully developing, he said.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation’s programme is one of the many programmes and projects successfully implemented by the US government, the Deputy PM emphasized, and expressed his satisfaction with choosing Mongolia to realize the MCC’s programme again.
In response, the US Ambassador thanked the Deputy PM for an audience, and said she is confident that that the newly-formed cabinet will continue its active cooperation with the US government.

Vice FM Meets Ambassador of China
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, December 23 (MONTSAME) The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs N.Oyundari Monday received Mr Wang Xiaolong, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Mongolia.
The Ambassador congratulated Ms Oyundari on being appointed as the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, and exchanged views on the bilateral relations and the collaboration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
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