Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The 9th meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation of the Federation Council and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan is being held in Bukhara.

As noted by the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Ilyas Umakhanov, Uzbekistan is a traditional partner of the Russian Federation. “Interparliamentary relations play a special role in Russian-Uzbek relations. This is an important element of the strong foundation on which bilateral cooperation develops,” the senator said.

“Parliamentary interaction contributes to the development of common positions on pressing international problems based on mutual consideration of each other’s interests,” he emphasized.

According to Ilyas Umakhanov, at the meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission, initiatives and decisions were approved that will further strengthen the partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan. Including, more active involvement of regional legislative (representative) structures in the work on interregional cooperation, consideration of the possibility of holding upcoming meetings of the Commission in the regions of Russia and Uzbekistan.

Irina Rukavishnikova drew attention to the issue of the current situation and prospects for the development of bilateral interregional cooperation.

In particular, they discussed trade, economic and investment ties between the two countries and improving the mechanism for discussing interregional projects.

Separately, Irina Rukavishnikova noted the regulatory framework for interregional cooperation. “Twenty-five agreements on cooperation between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan are in force. In 2023, eight draft interregional agreements on cooperation between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan were agreed upon.”

The senator emphasized the readiness of the Russian side to develop bilateral contacts and expand cooperation within the competence of the Federation Council.

During the meeting, Viktor Bondarev spoke on the role of the upper houses of parliament in strengthening cooperation between public and religious organizations in Russia and Uzbekistan.

The Russian senator emphasized that the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security attaches great importance to interaction with religious organizations, which play a key role in preserving cultural heritage and interethnic harmony. “Within the framework of bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation, we must strive to strengthen dialogue and exchange of experience on issues of interaction between the state and public and religious organizations. This will allow us to better understand the needs of our citizens, respond in a timely manner to emerging challenges and threats, and also develop joint approaches to solving pressing problems,” the parliamentarian said.

Bair Zhamsuev emphasized the relevance and importance of improving the legal support for the activities of national-cultural autonomies and other non-profit organizations involved in the implementation of state national policy.

Valery Radaev recalled the Agreement on the establishment of sister city/partnership relations between Saratov and Samarkand concluded in 2021. “These warm relations are being successfully implemented to this day. And if this experience spreads to other regions, then, undoubtedly, it will contribute to the socio-economic development of the territories and strengthen our friendship,” the senator said. He spoke about the key areas of interaction between the Saratov region and Uzbekistan.

During the meeting of the Commission, an Agreement was signed on the establishment of sister city relations between the city of Derbent of the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation and the city of Bukhara of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Also, Russian senators met with the khokim (head) of the Bukhara region, Botir Zaripov, during which a presentation of the Bukhara region took place.