Parliament of Uzbekistan has become the only parliament in the Central Asian countries and the CIS that has joined the EU’s global project to strengthen parliamentarism - Inter Pares.

Conference dedicated to the beginning of cooperation took place in Tashkent on May 22, the press service of the Senate reported. It was attended by representatives of the parliaments of Hungary, Slovakia, France, Germany, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, the head of the EU delegation to Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps of the EU member states.

The Inter Pares program is implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) with the expert support of the parliaments of the EU partner countries. Legislative bodies of 17 states participate in it.

The agenda of cooperation will cover such areas as parliamentary oversight over the budget, including the local one, the introduction of the Electronic Parliament system and the expansion of digitalization in lawmaking, strengthening the role of parliament in achieving gender equality and building the capacity of youth parliamentarism.

“We highly value the willingness of our colleagues from the EU countries to expand cooperation with the Parliament of Uzbekistan,” Senate Chairwoman Tanzila Narbayeva said at the event. — Uzbekistan considers the European Union as a key international partner. We are ready to continue to work together to consistently build up efforts and potential in a constructive format of parliamentary diplomacy.”

Head of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adrian noted that the choice of the Parliament of Uzbekistan as a partner of Inter Pares is due to “irreversible, decisive reforms” in the areas of democratization of society, ensuring human rights, in particular, the abolition of forced labor, promoting gender equality and achievements in other areas.