On July 14, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, arrived in Ulaanbaatar for an official visit and to attend the 11th ASEM Summit. Honor guards were in formation when President Ts.Elbegdorj officially welcomed the Prime Minister of Japan at Chinggis Khaan Square. Following the welcome ceremony, the Prime Minister of Japan paid tribute to the Statue of Chinggis Khaan and started his visit to Mongolia. This is the third visit of Prime Minister Abe to Mongolia and the sixth visit of a Prime Minister of Japan to Mongolia since 1990. During their official talks, President Elbegdorj stressed that he was glad to meet with Prime Minister Abe once again, and appreciated that Prime Minister is the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Mongolia three times. The President noted his satisfaction with the development of mutual ties, enhanced bilateral cooperation, the strengthening of mutual trust, and expanding collaboration in the international arena based on strategic partnership principles. He emphasized that the development of relations and cooperation with Japan is one of the top priorities of Mongolia’s foreign policy. The President emphasized Japan’s support and assistance during the democratic transition in Mongolia,  and highlighted the need to continue this assistance, expressing Mongolia’s willingness to enhance long-term economic partnership with Japan. President Elbegdorj noted the successful implementation of the Erch Initiative and a mid-term program for Strategic Partnership, which were first proposed by Prime Minister Abe, and thanked him for prioritizing issues of bilateral relations between the two countries.