Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation led by First Deputy of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Sadyk Safoev took part in the 8th meeting of the Commission for Cooperation between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Makhachkala (Republic of Dagestan).

The parties discussed the state of inter-parliamentary relations between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the prospects for their development.

There was also an exchange of views between the two countries regarding the expansion of cooperation in various fields. In particular, the members of the Commission expressed their interest in strengthening relations in the fields of science, education and tourism, and wider use of the capabilities of our countries in these areas.

The number of Uzbek students studying in higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation is 46 thousand people, 14 branches of Russian universities have been opened in Uzbekistan (another 7 are planned to be opened). The participants of the Commission meeting considered the issues of creating more favorable conditions for Uzbek students in Russia, increasing the number of quotas allocated from the budget for citizens of our country in Russian universities.

Members of the Commission expressed great interest in expanding tourist exchange, especially considering that there are many sights on the territory of Uzbekistan included in various UNESCO lists, and taking into account the importance of Samarkand as a cultural capital, the attractiveness of Bukhara and Khiva for Russian tourists. Given the similarity of religions and cultures, further development of pilgrimage tourism is proposed. In this regard, the idea of developing the Golden Ring tourist route along the Makhachkala-Derbent-Samarkand-Bukhara route was put forward.

The issues of increasing the number of flights between Makhachkala and Tashkent, as well as Bukhara, which greatly contribute to the development of business and cultural ties, and an increase in the flow of tourists, were also discussed.

The parties discussed preparations in Uzbekistan for the 100th anniversary of the birth of the famous national poet of Dagestan Rasul Gamzatov and its celebration in the fall of this year.

Currently, 8 thousand citizens of Uzbekistan work in various sectors of the economy of Dagestan. More than 200 children of citizens of Uzbekistan study in the schools of Dagestan. The issues of reliable protection of their rights, creation of favorable living conditions, expansion of opportunities for work and education were also in the focus of attention of the participants in the meeting of the Commission.

It was noted that there is a positive trend in the field of translation and publication in Uzbekistan of the works of Dagestan writers, and in Dagestan - books of scientists and great thinkers of Uzbekistan.

During the talks, the issue of establishing the practice of holding the Day of Culture of Dagestan in Uzbekistan and the Day of Culture of Uzbekistan in Dagestan was discussed.

The members of the Commission put forward an initiative on mutual participation in tourism exhibitions, forums, festivals and other events that serve to strengthen friendly relations between the peoples of Dagestan and Uzbekistan, as well as expand ties between educational institutions, civil society institutions, including associations, spiritual and educational organizations, and the public.

At the same time, the participants focused on the role of the upper houses of the parliaments of Uzbekistan and Russia in strengthening interfaith and interethnic cooperation.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached to hold the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission in one of the historical cities of Uzbekistan.

As part of the visit, members of the Uzbek delegation laid wreaths at the memorial dedicated to the memory of participants in World War II and honored the memory of the Dagestan soldiers who died on the battlefield.