TEHRAN (Iran News) – The first meeting of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis took place in Tashkent which was also attended by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalamov opened the session in accordance with the Electoral Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

It was noted that the formation of the Senate was based on the democratic principles of openness and transparency, in full accordance with the requirements of national electoral legislation. Joint meetings of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, local Kengashes of regions and the city of Tashkent, districts, and towns were held to elect members of the upper house of the country’s parliament. Thus, 84 senators were elected, and 13 more were appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The new Senate is composed of prominent citizens with extensive experience and special merits in the fields of economics, law, science, medicine, culture, industry and in other areas of public and social realm.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a keynote speech at the session of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and sincerely congratulated the senators on this high status.

The Head of the state at the first session focused on important tasks to improve the efficiency of the upper house of parliament.

It was noted that a number of important programs have been adopted to solve social problems, which served as the basis for extensive efforts undertaken, and that senators should also take the initiative and come up with corresponding proposals on these issues.

The President said that each committee of the Senate needs to formulate plans for its activities building on the problems in regions. Based on the results of inquiry into the situation at places, the Senate Kengash and committees should conduct field meetings, with the participation of the heads of ministries and other government agencies. This practice will allow us to quickly address problems concerning the population.

“To be sure, you all well understand that being a member of the highest body of representation presumes a great honor as much as a tremendous responsibility. A senator is primarily a person who has been awarded the trust of people and the state”, the President noted.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev also noted the importance of parliamentary control over the consideration of the draft national budget and its execution, of regular hearings of executives on the course of implementation of reforms, and the constant attention to youth issues and education.

Meanwhile, the President maintained that it is imperative to strengthen the role of the upper house of Uzbekistan’s  Oliy Majlis in delivering an atmosphere of the irreconcilable fight against corruption and crime in general in society, as well as boost control over the activities of government bodies aimed at enhancing the role of women in society. The Head of the state pointed to the significance of the active participation of senators in ensuring the further growth in Uzbekistan’s standing in the world, in enhancing the country’s international relations and assisting in attracting foreign investment.

It was noted that the last three years when Uzbekistan made a way to a new stage of its development have become a period of fundamental transformation for the Senate. This body considered about 230 draft laws, of which 190 have been approved over the past three years, which indicates the extent of the work undertaken.

The practice introduced in the Senate whereby ministers of internal and foreign affairs, as well as khokims, stand up to report to the upper house has been noted with satisfaction.

The meeting participants have also considered issues related to the structural organization of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in accordance with Article 93 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, presented nominees for the posts of Chairperson of the Senate and Deputy Chairmen.

By secret ballot, members of the upper house elected Tanzila Narbayeva Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Likewise, by secret ballot, Sadik Safayev has been elected the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate.

In accordance with Article 86 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, one of the deputy chairmen of the Senate shall be a representative of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Under this norm, Musa Yerniyazov has been elected the Deputy Chairman of the Senate, also by secret vote.

In the same way Zayniddin Nizamkhojayev has been elected Deputy Chairman of the Senate.

Then the senators formed committees on international relations, external economic ties, foreign investment, and tourism, on budget and economic reforms, on judicial-legal issues and the fight against corruption, on defense and security, on science, education, and health, on women and gender equality, on youth, culture, and sports, on agriculture, water management, and the environment, as well as the Regulatory and Ethics Commission.

The upper house members elected chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of each committee and commission.

On all the issues considered, relevant resolutions of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis have been adopted.

In addition, the Prime Minister’s appeal to the newly-elected Oliy Majlis on the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers has been read out and an appropriate decision made.

The first session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan has thus completed its work.