The agenda focused on the development of bilateral interregional cooperation.
Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin and Farhod Rahimi, Chair of the Committee of the National Assembly (Majlisi Milli) of the Supreme Assembly (Majlisi Oli) of the Republic of Tajikistan on coordination of the activities of Majlisi Milli and Majlisi Namoyandagon, public organisations, mass media and interparliamentary relations, co-chaired the joint meeting of their committees.
The legislators discussed the development of bilateral interregional cooperation.
Grigory Karasin pointed out that cooperation between the Federation Council and the Majlisi Milli of the Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan reflected the deep historical roots between Russia and Tajikistan, which are based on friendship and mutual understanding.
The senator noted that about 200 interstate, intergovernmental and interagency agreements on a wide range of cooperation issues had been signed over 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Our interparliamentary ties are developing positively and dynamically as well, thanks to regular meetings between the speakers of our parliaments’ houses, interparliamentary forums and conferences, joint activities at the IPA CIS, the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as participation in observer missions at elections and referendums.
Grigory Karasin mentioned the contribution made by the heads and members of the Commission on Cooperation between the Federation Council and the Majlisi Milli of the Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan, which have been working hard at the regional level. “The ninth meeting of the commission is scheduled to take place soon. The documents of today’s meeting will be used to prepare for it,” the senator pointed out.
The Russian and Tajik MPs reviewed the agreements signed between the regions of Tajikistan and Russia. Reports were delivered by Oleg Tsepkin from the legislative assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region and Sergey Perminov from the legislature of the Leningrad Region.
Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Third CIS Department Alexander Sternik provided a survey of Russia-Tajikistan cooperation.
Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lilia Gumerova spoke about cooperation in science and the training of educational research personnel. She noted the successful implementation of several cultural projects, notably the work of Russian teachers and schools in Tajikistan. “The number of quota students from Tajikistan at Russian universities has been increased,” she said. The senator also mentioned the joint recognition of diplomas and research degrees, the programme of academic exchanges between the two countries’ research establishments, and the training of teachers for vocational schools.