A bilateral meeting in parliament took place after a meeting with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
“The presidents are setting the dynamics,” said Viacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
. “But we should
admit that the parliaments of the countries that are strategic partners are not
sufficiently using their capabilities and potential,” he added.
The Chairman of the State Duma called for the intensification of the work of the bilateral inter-parliamentary commission, which ”met last time 11 years ago.“
“It is necessary to resume its work and agree that, without delay, the first meeting will be held either in Dushanbe or in Russia before the end of the year. […] Meetings should be held every year,” he said.
Viacheslav Volodin called for the commission to discuss a concrete agenda, in particular, “issues of migration, business relations, investments.”
“Everyone is open to this conversation,” he emphasized, calling to support at the legislative level the decisions of Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon as soon as possible.
According to the Chairman of the State Duma, specialized committees on economic issues, education, and social policy should also begin their work. “Let the specialized committees get together and discuss,” he said, adding that this discussion will be able to push the two countries' governments to solve the necessary problems.
“Our relations are relations of more than strategic partners. These are relations of allies,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
A systematic approach to migration
The Chairman of the State Duma noted that trade turnover between Russia and Tajikistan in 2018 increased by almost 25%, and Tajik citizens who work in Russia transferred $2.5 billion. “This is almost a third of GDP,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
“We must do everything so that those who choose Russia as their place of work are prepared, know the language,” he said, adding that those who know the Russian language “will have an opportunity to become qualified specialists. They can get an education and stay.”
“We need to participate more actively in dialogue with labor migrants,” said the Chairman of the State Duma. He called for ‘moving to more civilized forms’ of labor migration, including ‘by resolving issues of a social nature.’
Viacheslav Volodin also proposed expanding the possibility of attracting specialists from Tajikistan to the regions: “We should conclude agreements on inter-regional cooperation.”
Tajikistan
will review the experience of the State Duma
During the meeting, Shukurjon Zuhurov emphasized that “we highly appreciate the friendly relations between the Majlisi namoyandagon and the State Duma. Without exaggeration, cooperation with the State Duma is the strategic direction of the Majlisi namoyandagon’ activity.” According to him the visit of Viacheslav Volodin is ‘a vivid example of the strategic partnership between our countries.’
Shukurjon Zuhurov declared the importance of expanding inter-parliamentary relations, filling them with new content and sharing experience in lawmaking. “In our common opinion, the last convocation of the State Duma works very efficiently and openly. It does everything to achieve the tasks that the President of the Russian Federation sets in the Addresses and national programs. And we will review this experience,” he said.
Chairman of the Majlisi namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli emphasized the role of the Presidents of Russia and Tajikistan, Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon, thanks to whom ”a trustful political dialogue has been established and the foundation for comprehensive cooperation in all spheres has been laid.“
“The largest Russian military base is and will be located in Tajikistan. This is a guarantee of the stability of the region,” said Shukurjon Zuhurov.
“The turnover is almost $900 million, but this is far from enough. We must do everything so that businessmen are not afraid of coming here. Tajikistan is an undeveloped country. The Chinese are working on favorable terms, gaining a competitive advantage, but we prefer Russia instead,” the parliamentarian said.
Shukurjon Zuhurov told Viacheslav Volodin about the special attitude to the Russian language in Tajikistan. “In our Constitution, the Russian language is enshrined as the language of interethnic communication,” he said, emphasizing that the Majlisi namoyandagon’s Regulation stipulates that bills shall be introduced in two languages, Tajik and Russian, and that they shall be also discussed, adopted and published in two languages.
Parliamentarians also discussed issues of labor migration from Tajikistan to Russia. Shukurjon Zuhurov asked the Chairman of the State Duma to help accelerate the ratification of the agreement between the Governments of the two countries on the organized recruitment of citizens of the Republic to work in Russia.
