Peter Ehrlich

ULAN BATOR, Oct 24 (Reuter) - German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel arrived in Mongolia on Thursday for a whirlwind visit and pledged moral support for the country's economic reforms.

"Germany is following the reforms in Mongolia with sympathy," Kinkel told Mongolia's parliament.

Mongolia has embraced market-oriented reforms and debunked Stalinist economic policies.

"We will support your country as good partners and friends," said Kinkel, who is visiting Mongolia for 24 hours.

He did not announce any new financial support for Mongolia but Germany is already one of Mongolia's biggest aid donors, giving $130 million between 1991 and 1996.

Kinkel is the first foreign minister of the united Germany to visit Mongolia, which had strong ties with the former communist East Germany.

He arrived in Mongolia after a fence-mending trip to China.

Kinkel's China tour had been delayed by Sino-German differences over Beijing's policies in the restive Tibet region.

The foreign minister had planned to visit in July but Beijing withdrew its invitation after the German lower house of parliament passed a resolution accusing China of trying to eradicate Tibet's cultural identity.

On Tuesday, Kinkel said China and Germany had put their differences behind them and were now on a course for improved economic ties. During the visit he met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng.

Kinkel also said Germany wants to set up a third China consulate in Chengdu, capital of the most populous province of Sichuan.