Russian and Mongolian presidents sign declaration

The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and his Mongolian counterpart, Natsagiyn Bagabandi, have signed a declaration confirming a 1993 treaty of friendship.

The declaration stated that the two countries would not pursue military or political interests harmful to the other.

President Putin's visit is the first to Mongolia by a Russian head of state in twenty-six years.

Talks on improving economic relations are believed to have been high on the agenda. The BBC Moscow correspondent says Russia is keen to reassert its influence over its south-eastern neighbours in an effort to counter Chinese and American influence in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service