DUSHANBE, April 21, 2011, Asia-Plus -- A delegation of French senators is currently in Tajikistan to discuss cooperation issues with high-ranking Tajik state officials.

According to the Tajik MFA department of information, press, analysis and planning of foreign policy, the delegation members include five senators who are members of the France-Central Asia friendship group at the Senate of France.

The delegation led by Senator Andre Dulait, who is chairman of the France-Central Asia Friendship Group, today is meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi.

Today evening, the delegation of French senators will also hold talks with Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament).  French senators will discuss cooperation prospects and familiarize themselves with work of their Tajik colleagues.

The visit of the delegation that arrived in Dushanbe on Aril 20 will conclude on April 24.

The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.  According to French Senate’s website, as a legislative assembly, the Senate votes the law stemming from government or parliamentary initiative.  During the legislative process all bills introduced in the Senate are examined by one of the 6 standing committees, or by an ad hoc committee, before being tabled on the Senate floor.  The Senate also votes any amendments to the Constitution, controls the government and represents local bodies (counties, districts and states).  The 343 French Senators are elected through indirect universal suffrage for six years.