OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Adrian Severin pays second visit to Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, 21 November 2001 (OSCE) - The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Adrian Severin paid today a second visit to Tajikistan as part of his tour of the Central Asian OSCE participating States.

Mr. Severin visited Khujand, the second largest city in the country, where he met with fellow parliamentarians and heads of the local executive. He discussed the work of parliamentarians in Tajikistan and the challenges the country's northern province faces.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly shared views with his interlocutors regarding the functioning of European parliamentary democracy, and encouraged them to foster the independence of legislation, the multiparty system and the rule of law.

He insisted on a community of interests that unites all OSCE participant States in a joint front against terrorism, the threats of extremism and racism, and called on his Tajik interlocutors: "Help me help you".

This visit is another testimony of the increasing interest OSCE pays to the Central Asian states which now, 10 years after their independence, are confronted with challenges and ordeals that slow down the pace of the reforms that are so badly needed to modernize these young democracies.