Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 30 July 2020, an online meeting of the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov with the British Ambassador to Uzbekistan Timothy Torlot was held.

The purpose of the video meeting is to discuss the main areas of partnership between the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the UK.

At the beginning of the online conversation, the head of the foreign diplomatic mission was informed about the new composition of the inter-parliamentary group of the Oliy Majlis for cooperation with the British parliament, about the priorities for the development of parliamentary and political reforms in Uzbekistan. The Ambassador was also informed in detail about the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev on the reform of the judicial system (on 24 July 2020), the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights (on 22 July 2020), the draft Convention on the Rights of Youth, prepared by the NCHR at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as on the holding of the International Forum on Human Rights person in Samarkand, dedicated to youth rights issues (on 12-13 2020), in which the participation of prominent representatives of the House of Commons and the House of Lords of Great Britain is also planned.

Welcoming the large-scale and rapid socio-political and socio-economic transformations in Uzbekistan, Timothy Torlot particularly noted the country’s positive achievements in raising the status of parliament, strengthening its role in monitoring government activities, ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms.

The head of the British diplomatic mission in Tashkent also noted with satisfaction the significant steps taken by Uzbekistan to create parliamentary monitoring commissions for the implementation of national indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals for the period up to 2030.

During the online meeting, the parties also discussed the following issues:

- action plan and legislation on environmental issues;

- the main objectives of human rights legislation;

- recent changes concerning the legislation on NGOs and religious freedoms;

- the role and importance of the National Center for Human Rights;

- strengthening the role of civil society institutions.

In addition, following the results of the bilateral online dialogue, the parties also agreed to organize an Uzbek-British parliamentary forum on climate change in September-October this year.

In conclusion, the parties expressed satisfaction with the online meeting and assured them of their readiness to further develop fruitful and constructive cooperation.