Germany's Merkel plans first visit to Mongolia

For the first time in Germany history, German chancellor Angela Merkel will be the first German chancellor to visit Mongolia when she heads to Asia for a three-day visit next week, officials here said Friday. In Mongolia she is expected to meet both President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Skuhbaatar Batbold as well as members of civic organizations. A talk with Mongolian members of the ISAF contingent in Afghanistan, as well as with their German trainers, is also on the agenda. Merkel, who will be accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, will also be visiting Vietnam, where she plans to meet with Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung on Tuesday. The day will also include meetings with religious leaders, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday. On Wednesday, she is set to fly to Ho Chi Minh City and meet with student groups before traveling to Ulan Bator, in Mongolia.