Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 June 2020, with the assistance of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuala Lumpur, an online forum was held on the theme “Development of parliamentarism: the experience of Uzbekistan and Malaysia”, chaired by the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia, Mohd Rashid bin Hasnon, the Foreign Ministry said.

The event was attended by members of the legislative bodies of Uzbekistan and Malaysia, including representatives of the newly created parliamentary friendship groups, as well as ambassadors of the two countries in Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.

During the parliamentary forum, the current state and prospects for the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as bilateral cooperation in the field of trade, investment, innovative technologies and tourism were discussed.

The parties noted that the further deepening of inter-parliamentary ties is of great importance in expanding bilateral cooperation. In their view, such a mechanism will further expand and strengthen the multifaceted partnership between Uzbekistan and Malaysia.

Recently, there has been a noticeable intensification in the interaction between the legislative bodies of the two countries. In particular, in February 2020, the Friendship Group with Uzbekistan was created in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia. A similar group in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was formed in June 2020.

It was noted that the creation of inter-parliamentary friendship groups is one of the tools for establishing parliamentary diplomacy between countries, which is increasingly becoming relevant in interstate relations. In this context, the Malaysian side welcomed the draft Concept on Parliamentary Diplomacy, currently being developed by the Uzbek deputies.

The parties also called for a consistent continuation of the exchange of visits of parliamentary delegations. In particular, the Malaysian side invited the delegation of the Oliy Majlis to pay an official visit to Kuala Lumpur as the situation with the coronavirus stabilizes.

The meeting confirmed mutual interest in building trade, economic and investment cooperation, in particular in the field of Islamic banking and the development of a halal industry, as well as tourism, including Ziyorat Tourism.

Following the talks, an agreement was reached to hold the next online forum between the parliaments of the two countries in September of this year.