REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - U.S. and Mongolian officials this week discussed "creative ways" to ensure the landlocked country, dependent on goodwill from its neighbors China and Russia, could get critical minerals onto the world market, a U.S. State Department official said on Friday.
A U.S. State Department official briefing reporters said the national carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines would be able to fly direct to an as-yet-undecided U.S. airport by next year.
The two sides also discussed how to follow up on a memorandum of understanding signed in June by the State Department and Mongolia's ministry of mining and heavy industry.
"We certainly are eager to help the Mongolians find creative solutions by which it can help take more control over mining, exploring, extracting and producing critical minerals and rare earth elements."
Asked about how to ensure that Mongolia could exporting such commodities without hindrance, the official said it was in a "tough geopolitical situation", being landlocked.
Persons:
Kamala Harris, Oyun, Kevin Wurm, Erdene, Antony Blinken, we've, Joe Biden's, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Kevin Liffey
Organizations:
U.S, Mongolia's, White, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Reuters, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, State Department, Thomson
Locations:
Washington , U.S, China, Russia, U.S, Washington, Mongolia, United States