DUSHANBE, November 17, 2010, Asia-Plus — On Tuesday November 16, Tajik parliamentary delegation, led by the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper house of parliament) speaker Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, visited the UK Parliament’s halls, Shavkat Saidov, an aide to the Majlisi Milli speaker, told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon.
The same day, Tajik MPs held talks with members of the U.K. Parliament Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, headed by Mike Gapes, the aid said.
The sides discussed issues related to cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries and the current situation in Afghanistan. “Tajik speaker reiterated that it was impossible to solve the Afghan problem by use of force only,” said Saidov, “Tajik speaker pointed to the necessity of supporting development of Afghanistan’s economy and its education and health sectors and closely cooperating with countries bordering on Afghanistan.”
On Tuesday, Ubaidulloyev also met with members of the House of Lords, including Lord Bowness, Lord Kilclooney, Lord Rennard and others, to discuss implementation of energy and infrastructure development projects in Tajikistan.
Members of the Lords play a vital role making laws and keeping an eye on the decisions and actions of Government. Bringing years of knowledge from many walks of life, they apply an experienced perspective to examining legislation and public policy.
On November 16, Tajik speaker also met with members of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Afghanistan and the Defense Committee of the U.K. Parliament, as well as students and lecturers from the Center for Central Asian Studies, University of London, the aide said.
Today, Ubaidulloyev is meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Simon Fraser.
The UK public elects 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons. MPs consider and propose new laws, and can scrutinize government policies by asking ministers questions about current issues either in the Commons Chamber or in Committees.
We will recall that the Tajik parliamentary delegation is currently on a visit to the United Kingdom at invitation of the speakers of both houses of British Parliament. The delegation left for London on November 14 and the visit will last until November 20.
