Manila, May 19 -- The Philippines and Mongolia strengthened their economic and strategic partnership in a historic visit by Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg on Monday, after over four decades.

In his speech on Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo described the visit as a milestone in the Philippines-Mongolia relationship, noting the productive bilateral meeting with Battsetseg, that led to the issuance of the two nations' first bilateral statement since 2000.

Battsetseg also paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

"The Philippines and Mongolia are two of the fastest-growing economies not only in Asia but in the world. The future of our bilateral partnership finds strength in our two resource-...