- The presidents of our two countries visited each other five months apart. What are the main results of these visits?
- Both visits -President Macron’s visit in Mongolia in May, the first ever by a French President, and President’s Khürelsükh’s State visit to France in October- achieved a balance between our rich culture, people-to-people exchanges, a very fruitful dialogue on political issues, and strong, future-oriented economic cooperation, including in strategic sectors.
These outcomes represent a very solid platform for further growth for the years to come. We are already seeing concrete results from our shared commitments. Let me give you one example: 13 Mongolian students selected in every aimag by the Presidential Scholarship Programme are currently learning French language and professional skills in French Technology Institutes; and we have just started training at the Alliance Française in Ulaanbaatar, with funding from the Embassy, for a dozen more due to go to France next year. This is on top of existing scholarships – and I was privileged to reunite with almost 100 Mongolian Alumni from French universities and schools in June.
In the field of economic cooperation, the agreement on the investment and operations of French Mining company Orano in Mongolia is a very important step. We were also able to finalize agreements in the field of rare earths and to renew the cooperation between our National Geology Services. Our investment goes far beyond mining, into fields that benefit our people and our economies, including urban transport, civil security, retail, agriculture, and food.
The French-Mongolian relationship didn’t start with these visits. It is a product of centuries of historic ties, and decades of exchanges, especially since Mongolia chose a democracy, an open society, and a market economy over 30 years ago. The foundation for our relationship is an open and respectful dialogue, shared values and mutual interest – and of course it works because it goes beyond government-to-government relationships: it includes people, students, athletes, businesspeople, civil societies – for example during President Khurelsukh’s visit in October the Mongolian Red Cross Society signed a cooperation agreement with the French Red Cross Society.
The two visits have built on these foundations, at a time when global peace and security, stability and sovereignty are being challenged more than any moment in the last 50 years.
Let me tell you a bit more about how these visits happened. President Khurelsukh’s visit to France was planned some time ago and linked to the opening of the Chinggis Khan exhibition in Nantes. President Macron’s visit to Mongolia in May was also linked to current international challenges. Both are highly visible demonstrations of the power of democracies to deliver results for the good of their own populations, and making the point that open societies are stronger together. For several years my job was to organize official visits and international conferences and summits, so I have some experience of high level visits. And I can tell you that both visits were models of what we can achieve in terms of substance. Remember also that we only have one or two State visits in France every year. In 2023 only two heads of States were honoured in this way : King Charles III of England and President Khurelsukh.
What struck me is two things: both Presidents get along very well with each other, and it is very helpful when the personal relationship is good ; and besides both Heads of State, there were many exchanges with members of the Great Khoural and our Members of Parliaments, with the business sector, with cabinet ministers, academics, artists, and in Paris with Mongols living in Europe. So this confirms the strength of a future-oriented and respectful relationship.
- The presidents of our two countries visited each other five months apart. What are the main results of these visits?
- Both visits -President Macron’s visit in Mongolia in May, the first ever by a French President, and President’s Khürelsükh’s State visit to France in October- achieved a balance between our rich culture, people-to-people exchanges, a very fruitful dialogue on political issues, and strong, future-oriented economic cooperation, including in strategic sectors.
These outcomes represent a very solid platform for further growth for the years to come. We are already seeing concrete results from our shared commitments. Let me give you one example: 13 Mongolian students selected in every aimag by the Presidential Scholarship Programme are currently learning French language and professional skills in French Technology Institutes; and we have just started training at the Alliance Française in Ulaanbaatar, with funding from the Embassy, for a dozen more due to go to France next year. This is on top of existing scholarships – and I was privileged to reunite with almost 100 Mongolian Alumni from French universities and schools in June.
In the field of economic cooperation, the agreement on the investment and operations of French Mining company Orano in Mongolia is a very important step. We were also able to finalize agreements in the field of rare earths and to renew the cooperation between our National Geology Services. Our investment goes far beyond mining, into fields that benefit our people and our economies, including urban transport, civil security, retail, agriculture, and food.
The French-Mongolian relationship didn’t start with these visits. It is a product of centuries of historic ties, and decades of exchanges, especially since Mongolia chose a democracy, an open society, and a market economy over 30 years ago. The foundation for our relationship is an open and respectful dialogue, shared values and mutual interest – and of course it works because it goes beyond government-to-government relationships: it includes people, students, athletes, businesspeople, civil societies – for example during President Khurelsukh’s visit in October the Mongolian Red Cross Society signed a cooperation agreement with the French Red Cross Society.
The two visits have built on these foundations, at a time when global peace and security, stability and sovereignty are being challenged more than any moment in the last 50 years.
Let me tell you a bit more about how these visits happened. President Khurelsukh’s visit to France was planned some time ago and linked to the opening of the Chinggis Khan exhibition in Nantes. President Macron’s visit to Mongolia in May was also linked to current international challenges. Both are highly visible demonstrations of the power of democracies to deliver results for the good of their own populations, and making the point that open societies are stronger together. For several years my job was to organize official visits and international conferences and summits, so I have some experience of high level visits. And I can tell you that both visits were models of what we can achieve in terms of substance. Remember also that we only have one or two State visits in France every year. In 2023 only two heads of States were honoured in this way : King Charles III of England and President Khurelsukh.
What struck me is two things: both Presidents get along very well with each other, and it is very helpful when the personal relationship is good ; and besides both Heads of State, there were many exchanges with members of the Great Khoural and our Members of Parliaments, with the business sector, with cabinet ministers, academics, artists, and in Paris with Mongols living in Europe. So this confirms the strength of a future-oriented and respectful relationship.
"THE TWO VISITS HAVE BUILT ON THESE FOUNDATIONS MORE THAN ANY MOMENT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS"
"THE TWO VISITS HAVE BUILT ON THESE FOUNDATIONS MORE THAN ANY MOMENT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS"
- Mongolia and France reached a preliminary consensus to supply uranium to France. What are the mutual benefits of the project, which will be implemented for a total of 30 years?
- Indeed we were able to sign a negotiation protocol at the Elysée Palace in Paris. This puts on paper a consensus on every major point that matters for both sides, including the Great Khoural, which was consulted and was also strongly represented in the Mongol delegation in France.
This agreement secures a strategic investment for both of our countries. It will be a significant investment of 1.6 billion euros (not including salaries, subcontracts, royalties and dividends) from French company Orano, who has been in Mongolia for over 25 years, exploring and then running a successful pilot project last year. It will create jobs, open up career opportunities and develop training and access to technology for many more Mongols (as of today they already make about 97% of the workforce, including directors and engineers).
For the planet, this project means investing in the future of green energy. Nuclear energy has a very low carbon footprint: this is why France, with 75% of our electricity coming from our nuclear power plants, has the lowest CO2 emissions among industrial nations. Along with renewable energies, nuclear energy is an important part of the energy mix and of the energy transition, from coal and oil to energies with less carbon emissions, reducing the impact on global warming and on pollution.
- What does France use uranium for and what other natural elements does it get from other countries?
- Energy is the most common use of uranium. Nuclear energy makes up 75% of our electricity and a majority of our energy mix. This is how France has the lowest CO2 emissions per capita among G7, at about half the average of major economies, and how we have one of the cheapest electricity supplies. 1 kg of nuclear fuel produces as much energy as 160 tonnes of coal ; 700 kg of nuclear fuel (half the weight of a Toyota Prius) provides enough energy for a city of 300.000 inhabitants for a year! Today it enables us to develop new industrial capacities for the energy transition, in IT and creative industries.
Uranium and what is called natural isotopes are used to manufacture a variety of products, from medical research and diagnosis to the industry, even agriculture.
In France we rely upon our own sources of renewable energy, and we try, like many other countries including Mongolia, to reduce our energy dependance from other countries. There are uranium mines in France, and in several other countries: Australia has the largest reserves, Canada is one of our big suppliers along with Kazakhstan. We’re happy to see Mongolia’s significant deposit coming into production soon and supplying the world economy, we have no doubt there will be more discoveries. Other uranium producing countries include Brazil, Niger (with about 5% of the world production), Russia (which is both a producer and a big consumer of it) and South Africa.
- Mongolia and France reached a preliminary consensus to supply uranium to France. What are the mutual benefits of the project, which will be implemented for a total of 30 years?
- Indeed we were able to sign a negotiation protocol at the Elysée Palace in Paris. This puts on paper a consensus on every major point that matters for both sides, including the Great Khoural, which was consulted and was also strongly represented in the Mongol delegation in France.
This agreement secures a strategic investment for both of our countries. It will be a significant investment of 1.6 billion euros (not including salaries, subcontracts, royalties and dividends) from French company Orano, who has been in Mongolia for over 25 years, exploring and then running a successful pilot project last year. It will create jobs, open up career opportunities and develop training and access to technology for many more Mongols (as of today they already make about 97% of the workforce, including directors and engineers).
For the planet, this project means investing in the future of green energy. Nuclear energy has a very low carbon footprint: this is why France, with 75% of our electricity coming from our nuclear power plants, has the lowest CO2 emissions among industrial nations. Along with renewable energies, nuclear energy is an important part of the energy mix and of the energy transition, from coal and oil to energies with less carbon emissions, reducing the impact on global warming and on pollution.
- What does France use uranium for and what other natural elements does it get from other countries?
- Energy is the most common use of uranium. Nuclear energy makes up 75% of our electricity and a majority of our energy mix. This is how France has the lowest CO2 emissions per capita among G7, at about half the average of major economies, and how we have one of the cheapest electricity supplies. 1 kg of nuclear fuel produces as much energy as 160 tonnes of coal ; 700 kg of nuclear fuel (half the weight of a Toyota Prius) provides enough energy for a city of 300.000 inhabitants for a year! Today it enables us to develop new industrial capacities for the energy transition, in IT and creative industries.
Uranium and what is called natural isotopes are used to manufacture a variety of products, from medical research and diagnosis to the industry, even agriculture.
In France we rely upon our own sources of renewable energy, and we try, like many other countries including Mongolia, to reduce our energy dependance from other countries. There are uranium mines in France, and in several other countries: Australia has the largest reserves, Canada is one of our big suppliers along with Kazakhstan. We’re happy to see Mongolia’s significant deposit coming into production soon and supplying the world economy, we have no doubt there will be more discoveries. Other uranium producing countries include Brazil, Niger (with about 5% of the world production), Russia (which is both a producer and a big consumer of it) and South Africa.
- Please give us information about the official opening of the Genghis Khan exhibition in France.
- It is a very beautiful and incredibly rich exhibition. I was privileged to visit it on the opening day, and I already regret that I couldn’t spend a few more hours. Fortunately, it is open to the public until May next year, and I hope to see it again soon.
The exhibition brings together for the first-time artefacts from the new Chinggis Khan Museum of Ulaanbaatar, never-seen before objects from private collections in Mongolia, artefacts from European museums, which were usually diplomatic gifts from 13th and 14th centuries – the many objects found by joint French-Mongolian archeology teams belong to Mongolia, when they travel to a French Museum they are returned quickly.
This shows a new angle on the Mongol Empire, whose story has been written by peoples subdued by the Mongols, and by States like China and Russia which were asserting themselves against the image of a nomadic Empire. As relevant as these voices are -and it’s up to researchers to challenge that, it is also necessary to see this incredibly large empire from within: how it promoted exchange and invention, how a small population from Mongolia was able to claim such a vast territory -mostly using local populations and a great deal of autonomy, which is very different to the way many other Empires were built. In any case I’m quite passionate about this story, and grateful to the Mongol and French academics who were able to document all this and widen our views.
Along with the exhibition the Nantes Museum has organized a whole season of culture, debates and conferences, concerts, lasting until May next year. This too shows a more dense image of our relationship.
Then the exhibition will come to Mongolia, and from there it will probably travel again from 2025. Discussions have already started with several major museums in the world.
- What are the developments in the diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent years?
- Our countries have shared values, common interests, they are active members of several major international organizations like the United Nations (France supported Mongolia’s membership as early as 1946), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Criminal Court. This means we share a fundamental vision of the world, of how conflicts should be resolved peacefully and according to international law, and how democracies must, each in their own way, fight for freedom and sovereignty. This is made more visible by a series of crises – Covid, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions in the South China Sea. So in the end I am not surprised that France and Mongolia give more attention to each other now.
- Please give us information about the official opening of the Genghis Khan exhibition in France.
- It is a very beautiful and incredibly rich exhibition. I was privileged to visit it on the opening day, and I already regret that I couldn’t spend a few more hours. Fortunately, it is open to the public until May next year, and I hope to see it again soon.
The exhibition brings together for the first-time artefacts from the new Chinggis Khan Museum of Ulaanbaatar, never-seen before objects from private collections in Mongolia, artefacts from European museums, which were usually diplomatic gifts from 13th and 14th centuries – the many objects found by joint French-Mongolian archeology teams belong to Mongolia, when they travel to a French Museum they are returned quickly.
This shows a new angle on the Mongol Empire, whose story has been written by peoples subdued by the Mongols, and by States like China and Russia which were asserting themselves against the image of a nomadic Empire. As relevant as these voices are -and it’s up to researchers to challenge that, it is also necessary to see this incredibly large empire from within: how it promoted exchange and invention, how a small population from Mongolia was able to claim such a vast territory -mostly using local populations and a great deal of autonomy, which is very different to the way many other Empires were built. In any case I’m quite passionate about this story, and grateful to the Mongol and French academics who were able to document all this and widen our views.
Along with the exhibition the Nantes Museum has organized a whole season of culture, debates and conferences, concerts, lasting until May next year. This too shows a more dense image of our relationship.
Then the exhibition will come to Mongolia, and from there it will probably travel again from 2025. Discussions have already started with several major museums in the world.
- What are the developments in the diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent years?
- Our countries have shared values, common interests, they are active members of several major international organizations like the United Nations (France supported Mongolia’s membership as early as 1946), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Criminal Court. This means we share a fundamental vision of the world, of how conflicts should be resolved peacefully and according to international law, and how democracies must, each in their own way, fight for freedom and sovereignty. This is made more visible by a series of crises – Covid, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions in the South China Sea. So in the end I am not surprised that France and Mongolia give more attention to each other now.
“AERIAL TRAMWAY TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN USED SAFELY IN MANY CITIES, INCLUDING WINDY OR SNOWY PLACES”
“AERIAL TRAMWAY TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN USED SAFELY IN MANY CITIES, INCLUDING WINDY OR SNOWY PLACES”
- Are French investors interested in the Mongolian market, and if so, in which sector do they work?
- French companies rely on a very agile network of Mongolian partners, who sometimes reach out to French companies to introduce them on the market.
One major recent investment is Carrefour in the retail industry, with their Mongolian partner: they are providing excellent products at good prices for the consumer, but they are also buying from local producers, and they are very happy with their suppliers.
Orano, in the mining sector, will also be a major investment in the coming years: about 1.6 bn euros and operations for probably over 30 years.
French companies invested in the Renewable energy production. As winter comes in and with it air pollution is an issue again, I believe we all feel very concerned by the issue. There I must say that our investors are facing difficulties to enforce the contracts they signed: they are supplying green energy but they do not receive the agreed price for it. We are discussing with the Government of Mongolia at a very high level to solve this difficulty, to improve the business climate, and attract more investors, because in the end we want to increase green energy supplies, enhance Mongolia’s Energy Sovereignty and produce more green energy.
Today Mongolia imports quality consumption goods, food, fashion and cosmetics from France. But we also export agriculture products which are sometimes very high value, and also cars, mining equipments, aircraft from Airbus etc. We want to diversify our investments and trade in goods, services. IT is definitely a priority here, as Mongolia’s population is more and more connected, and French start ups and unicorns are in the top 5 in the world. Of course this should go both ways: French luxury brands are working on sourcing sustainable, high quality materials from Mongolia and cutting down intermediaries to guarantee a better income for herders and producers.
- French company 'Poma' was going to build the first aerial tramway in Ulaanbaatar. What is the stage of this work?
- Poma is going to build a first cable car line. The first works are scheduled by early 2024, and start of commercial operations is expected before the end of 2024. This line will be equivalent to dozens of buses, shortening the ride from 30-60 minutes to 11 minutes, with full accessibility to people with disabilities.
The one thing which I believe will surprise the users is how silent the cable car is. The technology has been used safely in many cities, including windy or snowy places, drawing on the experience of cable cars in mountain resorts.
- How many French tourists came to Mongolia due to 2023 being the year to visit Mongolia?
- As French tourists no longer need a visa -which was a very welcome decision from the Government of Mongolia- we don’t have precise figures, but an estimate is about 10.000 people this summer, which is the same level as before 2020.
Mongolia has a huge potential for tourism. We must also preserve its landscapes and take into account existing infrastructure. Mass tourism is probably not the best option, I think countries with a very well managed tourism industry, aiming at a more limited clientele, could be an example. This is in line with the kind of tourists we see from France: very small groups, active and curious people who are looking for authenticity, landscapes, culture.
- Are French investors interested in the Mongolian market, and if so, in which sector do they work?
- French companies rely on a very agile network of Mongolian partners, who sometimes reach out to French companies to introduce them on the market.
One major recent investment is Carrefour in the retail industry, with their Mongolian partner: they are providing excellent products at good prices for the consumer, but they are also buying from local producers, and they are very happy with their suppliers.
Orano, in the mining sector, will also be a major investment in the coming years: about 1.6 bn euros and operations for probably over 30 years.
French companies invested in the Renewable energy production. As winter comes in and with it air pollution is an issue again, I believe we all feel very concerned by the issue. There I must say that our investors are facing difficulties to enforce the contracts they signed: they are supplying green energy but they do not receive the agreed price for it. We are discussing with the Government of Mongolia at a very high level to solve this difficulty, to improve the business climate, and attract more investors, because in the end we want to increase green energy supplies, enhance Mongolia’s Energy Sovereignty and produce more green energy.
Today Mongolia imports quality consumption goods, food, fashion and cosmetics from France. But we also export agriculture products which are sometimes very high value, and also cars, mining equipments, aircraft from Airbus etc. We want to diversify our investments and trade in goods, services. IT is definitely a priority here, as Mongolia’s population is more and more connected, and French start ups and unicorns are in the top 5 in the world. Of course this should go both ways: French luxury brands are working on sourcing sustainable, high quality materials from Mongolia and cutting down intermediaries to guarantee a better income for herders and producers.
- French company 'Poma' was going to build the first aerial tramway in Ulaanbaatar. What is the stage of this work?
- Poma is going to build a first cable car line. The first works are scheduled by early 2024, and start of commercial operations is expected before the end of 2024. This line will be equivalent to dozens of buses, shortening the ride from 30-60 minutes to 11 minutes, with full accessibility to people with disabilities.
The one thing which I believe will surprise the users is how silent the cable car is. The technology has been used safely in many cities, including windy or snowy places, drawing on the experience of cable cars in mountain resorts.
- How many French tourists came to Mongolia due to 2023 being the year to visit Mongolia?
- As French tourists no longer need a visa -which was a very welcome decision from the Government of Mongolia- we don’t have precise figures, but an estimate is about 10.000 people this summer, which is the same level as before 2020.
Mongolia has a huge potential for tourism. We must also preserve its landscapes and take into account existing infrastructure. Mass tourism is probably not the best option, I think countries with a very well managed tourism industry, aiming at a more limited clientele, could be an example. This is in line with the kind of tourists we see from France: very small groups, active and curious people who are looking for authenticity, landscapes, culture.
“WE ARE EXPECTING 16 MILLION VISITORS FROM THE WHOLE WORLD DURING THE PARIS OLYMPICS”
“WE ARE EXPECTING 16 MILLION VISITORS FROM THE WHOLE WORLD DURING THE PARIS OLYMPICS”
- There have been recent armed attacks in France, and security has been tightened in certain locations. What are the reasons behind these attacks and what measures are taken by the state other than tightening security?
- We have been exposed to terrorist attacks for a long time now. This is why we have partnered with other countries to fight terrorism in Subsaharan Africa and Afghanistan, where Mongolia has been a reliable partner for many years.
The attacks you mention have been targeting teachers, Prof. Samuel Paty last year and Prof. Dominique Bernard last month. It shows how terrorism is the enemy of knowledge, of critical reasoning, of dialogue. And science, dialogue, critical reasoning is at the core of French and European identities.
The situation in the Middle East obviously creates further tensions, and European societies react to that. We must make sure that fundamental civil liberties, free speech and the right to peaceful demonstration are respected and not misused to promote hatred and terror -nor to manipulate the public.
- The Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024. How well is the preparation for this big event?
- It’s a huge investment in sports, and a massive mobilization of the whole of French society. We are expecting something like 16 million visitors from France and the whole world, 10.500 athletes for the Olympics -for the first time in history as many women as men- and 4.000 athletes in the Paralympics. I personally hope to see many Mongol athletes travelling to Paris in judo, basket-ball, powerlifting, wrestling, and to see many spectators in Mongolia watching the games.
We are now designing a program to train the Mongolian team in French, and to promote French language in sports.
We can also draw on the experience of the Rugby World Cup this Autumn, which was a success for sport, fans, logistics and security. The only regret I have is that the French team didn’t with the competition – but I am happy to see that Mongolia’s rugby team, both Men and Women, did well at their major Asian competition in Doha last month.
You have been living and working in Mongolia for quite long time. Have you traveled to the countryside, share with us your favorite places and unforgettable experiences in here.
Oh I love travelling in Mongolia! Landscapes are so varied and stunning. From the lakes in Zavkhan aimag to the forests in the north and changing landscapes in the Gobi, this is a happy place for travelers. Of course, sometimes you have to get up before sunrise, but what a joy when you eventually see the wolves or wildlife you spent hours tracking in the cold.
This summer I drove to Khar Nuur and Khyargas Lake. Every moment felt like a unique adventure, from swimming in (very cold) lakes to climbing dunes, to the ever-changing colours of the steppe and mountains, the generous hospitality of Mongolians whenever we got lost (that happened a few times).
But I believe my first shock was about one month after arriving in Mongolia: I traveled to Khangai, and at night I witnessed the most beautiful sky in my life. And for the rest of my life, I will know that behind clouds and grey skies there will always be the star-studded sky I discovered here in Mongolia.
- Thank you for your time.
- There have been recent armed attacks in France, and security has been tightened in certain locations. What are the reasons behind these attacks and what measures are taken by the state other than tightening security?
- We have been exposed to terrorist attacks for a long time now. This is why we have partnered with other countries to fight terrorism in Subsaharan Africa and Afghanistan, where Mongolia has been a reliable partner for many years.
The attacks you mention have been targeting teachers, Prof. Samuel Paty last year and Prof. Dominique Bernard last month. It shows how terrorism is the enemy of knowledge, of critical reasoning, of dialogue. And science, dialogue, critical reasoning is at the core of French and European identities.
The situation in the Middle East obviously creates further tensions, and European societies react to that. We must make sure that fundamental civil liberties, free speech and the right to peaceful demonstration are respected and not misused to promote hatred and terror -nor to manipulate the public.
- The Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024. How well is the preparation for this big event?
- It’s a huge investment in sports, and a massive mobilization of the whole of French society. We are expecting something like 16 million visitors from France and the whole world, 10.500 athletes for the Olympics -for the first time in history as many women as men- and 4.000 athletes in the Paralympics. I personally hope to see many Mongol athletes travelling to Paris in judo, basket-ball, powerlifting, wrestling, and to see many spectators in Mongolia watching the games.
We are now designing a program to train the Mongolian team in French, and to promote French language in sports.
We can also draw on the experience of the Rugby World Cup this Autumn, which was a success for sport, fans, logistics and security. The only regret I have is that the French team didn’t with the competition – but I am happy to see that Mongolia’s rugby team, both Men and Women, did well at their major Asian competition in Doha last month.
You have been living and working in Mongolia for quite long time. Have you traveled to the countryside, share with us your favorite places and unforgettable experiences in here.
Oh I love travelling in Mongolia! Landscapes are so varied and stunning. From the lakes in Zavkhan aimag to the forests in the north and changing landscapes in the Gobi, this is a happy place for travelers. Of course, sometimes you have to get up before sunrise, but what a joy when you eventually see the wolves or wildlife you spent hours tracking in the cold.
This summer I drove to Khar Nuur and Khyargas Lake. Every moment felt like a unique adventure, from swimming in (very cold) lakes to climbing dunes, to the ever-changing colours of the steppe and mountains, the generous hospitality of Mongolians whenever we got lost (that happened a few times).
But I believe my first shock was about one month after arriving in Mongolia: I traveled to Khangai, and at night I witnessed the most beautiful sky in my life. And for the rest of my life, I will know that behind clouds and grey skies there will always be the star-studded sky I discovered here in Mongolia.
- Thank you for your time.