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France to reopen

embassy in

Mongolia

PARIS: France is to reopen its embassy in Ulan Bator, closed in 1984, President Jacques Chirac told visiting Mongolian President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat on Thursday.

Several agreements are to be signed and several projects in electricity, transport, telecommunications and water distribution are to be discussed during Ochirbat's five-day visit.

Chirac said the French embassy, closed in 1984 because of lack of business, would be re-opened and Environment Minister Corinne Lepage would visit Ulan Bator soon.

Chirac has embarked on strengthening France's presence in Asia. He recently visited Singapore and attended a European Union-Asia summit in Bangkok. Chinese Premier Li Peng visited Paris earlier this month.

Ochirbat is to travel on to London on the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel tunnel.-Reuter