TSAMTO, April 3. On April 2, on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member states, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov held talks with Uzbek Defense Minister Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov.
"Russia and Uzbekistan are strategic partners and long–time friends," Andrei Belousov said.
The head of the Russian military department noted that cooperation between the two countries in the military field is one of the key factors for maintaining stability in Central Asia, and expressed readiness to expand cooperation in areas of interest to the Uzbek side.
In turn, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov thanked Andrei Belousov for the warm welcome and the high level of organization of the meeting of the CIS Council of Defense Ministers.
"We managed to discuss topical issues on the international agenda and the development of cooperation in the military sphere," the Uzbek Defense Minister added.
During the talks, the parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation.
Andrei Belousov also held talks with Tajik Defense Minister Colonel General Emomali Sobirzoda.
"Russian-Tajik defense cooperation is of a strategic nature and is the most important factor in maintaining stability and security in the Central Asian region. We work closely in a bilateral format, as well as within the framework of the CIS, the CSTO and the SCO," said Andrei Belousov.
The head of the Russian military department expressed confidence that today's meeting will give a new impetus to cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan in the military sphere.
In turn, Colonel General Emomali Sobirzoda thanked Andrei Belousov for the conditions created for the Tajik delegation during the regular meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member states.
On the same day, Andrei Belousov held talks with the Minister of Defense of Kyrgyzstan, Major General Ruslan Mukambetov.
"Since our last meeting, there have been very big changes in the world that have affected all countries, without exception," said Andrei Belousov.
The head of the Russian military department stressed that Russia and Kyrgyzstan should work together to determine goals, forces and means to achieve them.
"Today I propose to discuss our bilateral issues that we have," the Russian Defense Minister summed up.
In turn, Major General Ruslan Mukambetov thanked Andrei Belousov for his traditional hospitality at the regular meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member States, which, in turn, is a reliable platform for discussing the current agenda.
"Let me note that we are satisfied with the intensity of the development of military cooperation with the Russian Federation and are grateful for the ongoing work, which successfully implements joint projects throughout the entire period of Kyrgyz-Russian relations," the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation quotes the Minister of Defense of Kyrgyzstan.
