DUSHANBE, June 24, 2014, Asia-Plus – On Monday June 22, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov met here with a delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), led by Mr. Vitalino Canas, Chairman of the NATO PA Committee on Civil Dimension of Security.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the two sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and NATO member countries.

The meeting participants also exchanged views on topical regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including fight against terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, the current situation in Afghanistan and prospects of establishment of peace and accord in that country.  

Founded in 1955, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) serves as the consultative inter-parliamentary organization for the North Atlantic Alliance.  Bringing together legislators from all the member states of the Atlantic Alliance, the NATO PA provides a link between NATO and the parliaments of its member nations.  At the same time, it facilitates parliamentary awareness and understanding of key security issues and contributes to a greater transparency of NATO policies. Crucially, it helps maintain and strengthen the transatlantic relationship, which underpins the Atlantic Alliance.

The NATO PA consists of 257 delegates from the 28 NATO member countries.  Delegates from 13 associate countries; the European Parliament; 4 regional partner and Mediterranean associate member countries; as well as parliamentary observers from 8 other parliaments; 3 inter-parliamentary assemblies also take part in its activities.