Tajikistan and Russia should intensify their joint efforts to settle a complex situation emerging in the region, Shukurjon Zuhurov, the head of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, noted here yesterday at a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, the chairperson of Russia’s upper chamber (Federation Council) of parliament.  

“Intensification of activities of international radical groups, a high risk of spread of extremism in the region as well as risks connected with the Afghan problem oblige us to intensify work within international organization on taking joint measures to neutralize threats in the region,” said Zuhurov.  “Tajikistan having 1,400-kilometer-long common border with Afghanistan is interested in collective mechanisms of security.”

Tajikistan and Russia share similar approach to the Afghan problem, Tajik parliament speaker noted.

The two also discussed issues related to social protection of labor migrants, simplification of registration procedures, etc.  

Mrs. Matviyenko arrived in Dushanbe Wednesday evening for participation in the inter-parliamentary forum “Tajikistan-Russia: Potential of Inter-Region Cooperation” that took place in Dushanbe yesterday evening.

While in Dushanbe, Mrs. Matviyenko also held talks with her Tajik counterpart Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, the head of Tajikistan’s upper house (Majlisi Milli) of parliament, and President Emomali Rahmon.