DUSHANBE, April 5, 2011, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon is expected to address the parliament on April 20.

In an address to a joint meeting of both chambers of the parliament, the president will discuss the country’s priorities in domestic and foreign politics as well as main economic challenges.

Local experts say president’s address to the parliament is one of the most important political events in life of any country and it must contain responses to the most topical issues and problems facing the country and society.

Ms. Galiya Rabiyeva, member of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, told Asia-Plus today that annual president’s address to the parliament is “a program of actions for all branches of power for the next period of the country’s development.”

“In his address, President Rahmon will touch upon issues related to social security of the population and enhancement of the educational and health sectors,” said MP.  “He will also tell the goals and achievements of the government in three strategic areas: providing food security; bringing the country out of the transportation impasse; and providing energy independence.”

According her, the president will probably also announce the preliminary findings of the techno-economic and environmental and social assessments for the Roghun hydroelectricity project.

Rabiyeva noted that it could not be ruled out that the president would also touch upon issues related to improvement of Tajikistan’s legislation on democratization of society and ensuring observance of rights and freedoms of citizens.

“I as Member of Parliament would like the president to also touch upon the issues of reorganization of the public management system and strengthening of the fight against corruption in the country,” Ms. Rabiyeva noted.

Tajik expert on economic issues Firouz Saidov considers that president’s address to the parliament must reflect issues related to providing the country’s food security under conditions of increasing international basic food product prices, energy independence and increase in role of the public sector in social security of the population.

“Finding solutions to these tasks will promote removing problems in other branches of economy,” the expert said.