Pentagon Chief greeted in Mongolia

AKIPRESS.COM - United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on August 8 was welcomed by Parliament member and Minister of Defense of Mongolia N.Enkhbold and the both sides later held a meeting to talk about the successful participation of Mongolia in peacekeeping operations and defense cooperation between Mongolia and the US, Montsame reported.
The Mongolian side noted that the U.S. is a country of top priority in terms of foreign defense cooperation of Mongolia and Mongolia is focusing on increasing defense ties and cooperation with the US.
After the meeting, Mongolian Minister of Defense gifted a cream-colored horse to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. The U.S. Defense Secretary, expressing his gratitude in turn, named his horse Marshall after former U.S. Defense Secretary General George Marshall. As his horse will remain and be taken care of in Mongolia, he gave the caretakers a horse blanket used by the U.S. Army Old Guard and entrusted them to take a good care of his horse.
Following the meeting with his counterpart, Mark Esper went to the State House to pay a courtesy call on President of Mongolia at the State House.
Mongolia and the U.S., which sent their first defense attaches to each other back in 1991, are currently maintaining defense ties in favor of improving the capacity of the peacekeeping missions and ensuring regional stability. For instance, National Security Adviser of the United States John R. Bolton visited Mongolia on 1 July and held a meeting with Minister of Defense N.Enkhbold. At the meeting, Mr. John Bolton highlighted the importance of the defense cooperation and military-to-military ties between the two countries and highly appreciated the Mongolia's peacekeeping commitment. The two sides confirmed to carry on their partnership on enhancing the capacity of the Mongolian Armed Forces.