The first meeting of the third session of the seventh convocation of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, the lower chamber of Parliament, was held today.

During the meeting, lawmakers ratified an agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates on air services between and beyond their respective territories, Khovar reported, citing the Majlisi Namoyandagon.

Presenting the draft agreement, Habibullo Nazarzoda, director of the Civil Aviation Agency under the government of Tajikistan, said the agreement was signed in Dushanbe on July 17, 2025. The government subsequently submitted it to the Majlisi Namoyandagon for ratification.

Nazarzoda said the Civil Aviation Agency prepared the agreement to implement directives from President Emomali Rahmon and fulfill Item 21 of the protocol of a government meeting held Jan. 21, 2019.

The agreement is intended to expand Tajikistan’s flight network and launch new routes, strengthen social, economic, investment and scientific and technical ties, attract foreign tourists and help develop the country as a transit hub, he said.

The agreement provides a legal framework for developing bilateral cooperation in air transport and civil aviation, including increasing flight frequencies and opening new routes between cities in Tajikistan and the UAE, Nazarzoda said.

He added that implementing the agreement would help strengthen economic and trade ties, develop tourism and expand opportunities for travel and the movement of citizens. It also is expected to create conditions for attracting tourists, entrepreneurs and investors, including from Gulf countries.