    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 21, 2005]
    [Pages 1758-1760]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between Mongolia and the United States of America
    November 21, 2005

        President George W. Bush and President Nambaryn Enkhbayar today reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between
    the United

    [[Page 1759]]

    States of America and Mongolia and committed to defining guiding
    principles and expanding the framework of the comprehensive partnership
    between their two democratic countries based on shared values and common
    strategic interests, as declared in the Joint Presidential Statement of
    July 15, 2004.
        On behalf of the American people, President Bush expressed his
    appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy and generous financial
    assistance from the government and people of Mongolia for the victims of
    Hurricane Katrina. President Bush welcomed Mongolia's progress toward
    becoming a mature and stable democracy, which observes human rights and
    civil liberties, and a private sector-led free market economy.
        He congratulated the people of Mongolia, on behalf of the American
    people, for qualifying for eligibility for the Millennium Challenge
    Account, and looked forward to the successful conclusion of a Compact
    that will reduce poverty through economic growth and reflect the
    Government of Mongolia's commitment to continued political and economic
    reform. Mindful of the role that rule of law, good governance,
    transparency, and public sector accountability play in building
    democracy and prosperity, the two presidents welcomed Mongolia's recent
    ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption.
        The two presidents agreed to work together to facilitate Mongolia's
    participation in regional and international political, economic and
    financial structures. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation
    against all forms of organized, transnational crime, to include
    trafficking in people, counterfeiting, money-laundering, and terrorist
    financing. President Bush welcomed Mongolia's support for the
    Proliferation Security Initiative to halt the spread of weapons of mass
    destruction (WMD) and for its commitment to sign and ratify the UN
    Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
        The two presidents reviewed the work being conducted under the Trade
    and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to promote bilateral trade and
    investment, and expressed the hope that this will lead to a closer
    bilateral economic and trade relationship.
        Recognizing the potential threat to human health posed by avian and
    other forms of influenza, the two presidents agreed on the importance of
    bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the International Partnership
    on Avian and Pandemic Influenza.
        President Bush and President Enkhbayar underscored their strong commitment to fight
    terrorism, which undermines international peace and security. President
    Bush applauded Mongolia's participation in the stabilization and
    reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, including its peacekeeping
    commitment to the Multinational Force in Iraq. The United States and
    Mongolia agreed to continue working to advance Mongolia's contribution
    to international peace support efforts.
        They also agreed that the establishment of a free, democratic Iraq
    is important to democracy, peace and stability in the Middle East and
    the United Nations should play a leading role in the process. The two
    leaders underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation and, in
    this context, agreed on the need to pursue reform of the United Nations
    as a means to improving its effectiveness. President Bush and President
    Enkhbayar also emphasized the importance
    of implementing the September 2005 Joint Statement on the
    denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, issued by the members of the
    Six Party Talks.
        The two presidents affirmed the value of educational and cultural
    exchanges to enhance understanding between the citizens of the two
    countries and agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges and
    educational cooperation. President Bush also expressed

    [[Page 1760]]

    appreciation for the ratification of the bilateral International School
    of Ulaanbaatar Agreement which will help to ensure the availability of
    high quality, U.S.-accredited education for its students. The presidents
    noted the successful and positive contribution of the Peace Corps
    program in Mongolia.
        The two presidents stated their expectations for the continued and
    steady growth of the U.S.-Mongolia relationship, based on mutual respect
    and equitable partnership, and reaffirmed that such growth will be in
    the national interest of both countries.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.