Mongolian Minister of Defense B.Bat-Erdene received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Mongolia Murat Karagöz on August 8 to improve relation and cooperation in the defense sector. During the meeting, Turkish Ambassador Karagöz noted that Mongolia is an important and close partner of Turkey in Eurasia. He emphasized that the defense sector is the strongest pillar of the two nations’ relations and pledged to continue supporting the Mongolian Armed Forces through military financial cooperation. In particular, Turkey will provide technical assistance and help organize trainings for Mongolian troops. Minister B.Bat-Erdene underlined that Turkey is an important third-neighbor of Mongolia and that he is pleased with their cooperation in the defense sector, which he says is “improving by the day”. He expressed full confidence in Turkey’s continued cooperation for developing Mongolia’s economy. The Mongolian Defense Ministry plans to establish a military attaché in Turkey, the minister said at the meeting. Ambassador Karagöz and Minister B.Bat-Erdene gave clarifications on events following the coup attempt that occurred in Turkey on July 15. Minister B.Bat-Erdene stated that the Mongolian government will support Turkey’s democracy. Last week, Ambassador Karagöz met with Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ts.Munkh-Orgil to exchange views on near-term cooperation matters and discussed issues concerning a comprehensive partnership between Mongolia and Turkey.

Mongolia and Turkey to build iron workshop for prisoners

GEACD’s Deputy Head G.Tuulkhuu and TIKA coordinator for
Ulaanbaatar Veysel Çiftçi meeting on August 8[/caption] Mongolia’s General Executive Agency of Court Decision (GEACD) and the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) signed an agreement on Monday to build an iron workshop and create jobs for prisoners. The workshop will be constructed adjacent to Detention Center No.441 of the GEACD and will open jobs for 40 to 50 people. The project will be completed in three stages and local authorities plan to commission the new iron workshop by the end of 2016. The total cost of the project is estimated to amount to 60 million MNT. TIKA coordinator for Ulaanbaatar Veysel Çiftçi says that the Turkish side will supply necessary technologies and equipment, and that the Mongolian side will be in charge of building for iron workshop, material base and maintenance services. The iron workshop will provide permanent jobs to prisoners during their incarceration. Approximately 80 percent of prisoners are able to work during summer, but opening an iron workshop will enable them to work all year round, says Deputy Head of the GEACD G.Tuulkhuu. “Firstly, prisoners will be taught how to make metal products. Secondly, metal supplies required for detention centers will be provided. Thirdly, it will open opportunities for prisoners convicted of serious crimes who are unable to go outside to work during their incarceration. Products made at the workshop will not be sold. In other words, it’s a nonprofit factory,” said G.Tuulkhuu. The GEACD plans to build a publishing factory and have convicts serving sentences for serious and exceptionally serious crimes work there if the iron workshop project is deemed successful. According to G.Tuulkhuu, Detention Center No.441 requested to construct a publishing factory and make prisoners sentenced to a minimum of 30 years work. If the factory is established, prisoners will manufacture letterheads and business cards for state-owned organizations. Opening workshops and factories at detention centers is considered to be beneficial for prisoners who wish to reenter society and helpful to the country’s economy.