Biden Offers U.S. Support For Democratic Mongolia

Mongolian Prime Minister Batbold Sukhbaatar (left) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has praised Mongolia for its "remarkable transition to democracy" after having been a Soviet satellite for decades.

Biden, on a brief visit to the country on August 22, said the United States remains "strongly committed" to help Mongolia continue its democratization process, which began in the early 1990s.

Mongolia has vast quantities of mineral resources and is looking for foreign investments to develop its energy sector.

Biden arrived in Ulan Bator from China for a day-long visit before going on to Tokyo.

compiled from agency reports