ULAANBAATAR. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Mongolian people on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol and promised that Russia would do its utmost to make its friendly relations with Mongolia a truly strategic partnership.
"We value good-neighborly and time-tried relations with Mongolia. Russian-Mongolian interaction is developing gradually and covers many different areas. It was also confirmed during today's talks at which we addressed many pressing bilateral issues and determined the objectives of our cooperation for the future," Putin said at a reception held at the state residence Ikh Tenger.
He highlighted the agreement on friendly relations and comprehensive partnership between the two countries signed on Tuesday, as, according to Putin, it reflects mutual commitment to bringing interaction to a higher level and addresses major long-term tasks Russia and Mongolia are facing.
"A Mongolian proverb says, a horse is known by riding it and a person is known by their friendship. I would like to point out that we are really proud of our friendship and fraternal relations with Mongolia and its people and will do our utmost to ensure that Russian-Mongolian relations really become a comprehensive strategic partnership," the Russian president said.
He warmly congratulated the Mongolian president and all citizens of the country on the 80th anniversary of the joint victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol and wished prosperity to the entire Mongolian nation. Russia and Mongolia preserve the long-standing traditions of being brothers in arms, in particular, actively cooperating in the military sector and in security, which helps consolidating defense capacity and facilitates stability, Putin said.
The Russian president also shook hands with veterans who were among the guests of honor.
Prior to the celebratory reception, Putin attended an art exhibit dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol.
The Russian and Mongolian presidents earlier on Tuesday took part in the wreath-laying ceremony in front of the monument of Soviet military commander Georgy Zhukov in Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga, in turn, also noted in his speech that the agreement on strategic partnership between the two countries is important and expressed hope that these relations would reach a new level. The joint fighting conducted by the Soviet and Mongolian troops on the Khalkhin Gol River is of considerable importance to world history, he said. "There must be no attempts to fake the true causes and the importance of this war," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Putin had a meeting with Mongolian State Great Khural Chairman Gombojavyn Zandanshatar and also discussed the importance of the victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol with him. The parties conversed in the Russian language without the assistance of translators, as Zandanshatar had studied in Russia and is fluent in Russian.
The fall of 2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and Mongolian troops' victory against the Japanese in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. Zhukov commanded an offensive as part of it.