DUSHANBE, June 12, 2009, Asia-Plus — Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev yesterday received visiting President of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Joao Soares.
Shavkat Saidov, an aide to the upper house speaker for public relations, said that Ubaidulloyev had highly appraised the level of cooperation between Tajikistan and the OSCE in all fields and expressed hope that relations between them would expand in the future as well.
Tajik speaker also noted that Tajikistan hoped for further expansion of cooperation with the OSCE in providing its border troops with modern technical means, clearing mines along border, combating drug trafficking, as well as in trade and economic fields.
For his part, Mr. Soares noted that all issues mentioned by Mr. Ubaidulloyev would be thoroughly studied and he personally would promote development of relations of the OSCE with Tajikistan, the aide said.
The two also discussed issues related to the regional security and the current situation in Afghanistan.
The OSCE PA President’s visit to Tajikistan is part of his a weeklong tour of Central Asia. With the visit to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (June 7-14), President Soares shows support for the work of the OSCE field missions in the region. The OSCE President has regularly stated that the OSCE’s most important work is conducted by field missions, and he looks forward to getting further acquainted with the details of their work.
The purpose of the visit is in increasing dialogue on regional and international issues with representatives of the three Central Asia countries, as the OSCE President has met with the region’s parliamentary, and governmental leaders, as well as with representatives of civil society.
