Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 February 2021, the fifth meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation was held in the format of video conferencing.

The event was attended by First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sodik Safoev (co-chairman of the commission from the Uzbek side), Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Ilyas Umakhanov (co-chairman of the commission from the Russian side), members of the Commission, heads of diplomatic departments of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation, as well as heads of ministries and departments.

During the meeting, it was noted that the heads of both states attach great importance to expanding cooperation between our countries and peoples. So, over the past four years, thanks to the political will and determination of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, a new stage has been reached in the development of the Uzbek-Russian strategic and allied partnership.

The parties noted that the inter-parliamentary dialogue between Uzbekistan and Russia has also intensified recently. It was emphasized that successful interaction between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation contributes to the further development and deepening of Uzbek-Russian comprehensive cooperation, including within the framework of authoritative international parliamentary structures.

The issues of cooperation in the field of labor migration were considered. The parties focused on the joint solution of urgent problems in this area and plans for cooperation in the future.

The meeting participants agreed to prepare and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation on labor migration issues between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

During the event, the participants from the Russian side emphasized that for Russia Uzbekistan is a long-term partner and ally. In recent years, the quality of trade and economic cooperation has changed. Today this is manifested not only in mutual supplies of goods, but also in high-tech projects.

They also discussed issues of interaction in the field of the agro-industrial complex in the context of a pandemic. It was noted that in 2020 the trade turnover between the countries increased by 1.5 times compared to 2019. Work is underway to further ensure the security of supplies and improve logistics. At the same time, the parliamentarians considered issues of joint projects on drip irrigation and the development of viticulture.

The event participants discussed measures to strengthen interregional ties, develop tourism, including the resumption of direct flights, an increase in the number of tourist exchange and others.

During the meeting, issues of enhancing the role of parliamentarians in achieving the SDGs, holding the next forum of interregional cooperation were also considered, and the agenda of the sixth meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation was approved.