“I am particularly pleased to note that President Elbegdorj showed great political leadership and will in leading Mongolia to abolishing the death penalty during his Presidency. In 2010, President Elbegdorj commuted all death sentences and announced a moratorium on all executions. In 2012, Mongolia ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international treaty committing the country to the abolition of the death penalty. On 1 July 2017, Mongolia became death penalty abolitionist when its new Criminal Code, which abolishes the death penalty for all crimes, became effective after it was initially adopted bythe Mongolian Parliament on 3 December 2015. The abolition of the death penalty in Mongolia, which represents a beacon of hope in the North-east Asian region, is truly President Elbegdorj´s legacy. “By his decisive actions and leadership in furthering his country´s respect and protection for the fundamental right to life, and by his important interventions in international forums, President Elbegdorj has emerged as a much respected voice in favour of the abolition of the capital punishment. I believe that Mr. Elbegdorj´s expertise, experience and international prestige will be outstanding assets for our Commission and we look forward to work with him. I join my fellow Commissioners in welcoming him”

The rapporteur of the Constitutional proceedings was Sugar Dulam, who was one of the people who signed the approval of collateralization of EMC's 51 percent ownership to Standard Bank of South Africa. It has to be noted that Sugar, a member of the Constitutional Court, was the Chairman of the State Property Committee back then.

Looking at the justification of the appealing party, the 49 percent stake of EMC never belonged to the Government of Mongolia. The dispute began when the Government violated the private property rights by nationalizing the 49 percent stake, which was purchased from another country by a private entity.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling of the 23rd resolution of the Parliament:

Article 1.2 states “Democracy, justice, freedom, equality, ... the rule of law are the basic principles of the public service.”
Article 5.2, “The State … accepts any form of private property and protects the rights of ownership”,
Article 5.3, “Rights of the owner may be limited only by the grounds provided by law.”,
Article 16.3, “Fair acquisition, possession and ownership of movable and immovable property is inheritable. It is prohibited to confiscate or requisite private property. If the State takes its private property on the basis of essential social needs, the State shall pay the compensation and the price.”
Article 70.1, “In the Constitution ... decisions of the public body should be fully complied with one another.”
Although it may seem as a property dispute between the Government and private sector, it was a proceeding to decide whether if Mongolia could protect at least half of its ownership or lose 100 percent of its stake.

The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has suspended EMC’s 51 percent due to the claim of Just Group collateralizing the stake to South African Standard Bank. While the company is operating normally, its foreign accounts have been suspended, resulting in a risk of no-income. However, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Nyamdorj Tsend and Chief of Cabinet Secretariat Zandanshatar Gombojav announced that the factory is facing no risk.

Enkhjargal.B, Tugsbilig.B

The main objective of the Memorandum is developing mutually beneficial cooperation in civil nuclear energy use and designing a Centre of Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) blueprint. According to the document, Russian specialists will provide assistance to the Mongolian side in determining preliminary requirements and the configuration of CNST facilities. The Memorandum framework also involves the two sides designing a preliminary road map for the CNST project.

It is expected that specialized expert groups will be established to organize the working processes in these areas.

The 8th edition of the international exhibition will be held under the theme ‘World Technology is Coming’ at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace.

More than 120 exhibitors from countries such as China, Russia, the Czech Republic, Australia, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Japan, Germany, South Korea, France and Canada will be introducing the latest technology and equipment in the mining industry.

The number of exhibitors has visibly increased this year, especially companies from Canada, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom, said the organizers.

Moreover, the investors, suppliers and guests attending the international exhibition will be introduced to the mineral industry of Mongolia. In specific, there will be a seminar on government policy in mining sector in addition to presentations delivered by the exhibitors.

While highlighting non-ferrous metals, the event will be attended by not only representatives of the mining sector, but also of road and construction sector, thus offering good networking opportunities to the exhibitors.

The expo, dubbed as the biggest mining expo in Mongolia, is jointly organized by Minex Mongolia Co., Ltd, Expo Mongolia Co., Ltd., and International Expo Bureau of Mongolia and sponsored by Transwest Mongolia LLC, and Wagner Asia Equipment LLC.
Kh.Aminaa

“Increasing the country's economic potential is the main source of additional resources. For this we need an economy with growth rates exceeding the global level,” he said. “This isn't just a wish, but a basic condition for a breakthrough in resolving social, infrastructure, defense and other tasks.”

An increase of the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by 1.6 times by mid-2020 is one of the key tasks, according to the president.

“This is a very challenging task but I am confident that we are ready to solve it.”

Putin also stressed the necessity to reduce the public sector’s share of the economy.

“To let the economy work at full capacity, the business climate must be improved dramatically, with the highest level of business freedom and competition.”

The president set a goal to cut poverty minimum in half in the next six years, saying the well-being of Russians and their families should be the top priority.

The comments appear in a document issued by the United States Trade Representative. The annual report says, "China has a statist economic model with a large and growing government role."

It says, "China is free to pursue whatever trade policy it prefers," but that the United States is also "free to respond."

The report warns the US government will "use all available tools to discourage China" from "undermining true market competition."

The US has repeatedly accused China of overproducing steel and infringing intellectual property rights

The United States is set to impose 25 percent of tariff on steel imports products and 10 percent on aluminum, Trump said after a meeting with business executives at the White House.

"We'll be signing it next week. And you'll have protection for a long time in a while," said Trump.

News of the tariffs immediately hit sentiment on the Wall Street, with the Dow slumping over 500 points, more than 2 percent, in late trading.

In response, Canadian Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said that any U.S. tariff or quota imposed on Canada's steel industry would be "unacceptable."

Daniel Ikenson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, said on Thursday that trade restrictions could hurt U.S. producers by exposing them to competitions from foreign rivals with lower production costs capable of offering lower prices in the U.S. market.

U.S. actions would face legal challenge by other World Trade Organization members, and they would also invite other members to invoke national security to protect favored industries, said Ikenson.

European Union (EU)'s trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom has said that the EU would seek retaliation measures if the Trump administration's 232 trade investigation brings damage to European steelmakers.

It's still unknown whether Trump's announcement on Thursday refers to blanket tariffs for all countries.

In April last year, Trump ordered the Commerce Department to study the impact of steel and aluminum imports on national security under seldom-used section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.

Two weeks ago, the Commerce Department unveiled its recommendations for Trump to restrict imports of steel and aluminium products due to national security concerns, which drew oppositions from U.S. lawmakers and businesses.

According to recommendations by the Commerce Department, the United States could introduce at least 24 percent tariff on all steel imports from all countries and at least 7.7 percent tariff on all aluminium imports from all countries.

Trump's announcement was higher than both recommendations.

Wendy Cutler, former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said "the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum will also reverberate throughout the U.S. economy and possibly negate some of the benefits of the recent tax cuts."

The web platform was created with aims to introduce good example of artisanal and small scale mining in Mongolia and contribute to promote it. Moreover, the web platform is suitable to store, share and receive information.

Opening the ceremony, State Secretary of the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry G.Nandinjargal said that the Mongolian government has been taking certain measures to create legal environment for Mongolian artisanal and small-scale mining, and to regulate it in the frames of the law. In accordance with the Government Resolution No. 151 issued in 2017, revised regulations on Mineral extraction of artisanal and small-scale mining was approved. He noted it is now possible to get information about legal acts through the web platform, adding that engagement of artisanal and small scale mining operators, researchers and the public and their initiatives are significant to develop the web platform further.

Afterwards, Deputy Director for the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) in Mongolia Ilaria Dali emphasized that the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has been supporting Mongolia to overcome the challenges in artisanal and small scale mining sector and widely introduce international good practices of artisanal and small mining.
E.Altanzul