TASHKENT. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Russia sees Uzbekistan as a strategic partner in Central Asia, including with regard to security issues, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with Uzbek Defense Minister Abdusalom Azizov on Friday.
"I am sincerely glad to meet with you and to have this opportunity to discuss issues concerning our bilateral military cooperation. Uzbekistan is Russia's strategic partner in Central Asia," Shoigu said.
The two states "cooperate closely in multiple areas, including security," he said.
"In present-day conditions, it is necessary to counter challenges and threats together, especially the spread of international terrorism in the region. Today we will discuss this issue in detail at the session of the CIS Council of Defense Ministers," Shoigu said.
More than 340 Uzbek soldiers began attending Russian military universities this year, he said.
"This year our military universities admitted more than 340 of your servicemen, who became one of the largest groups of foreign students," he said.
The Russian military is pleased with the positive trends in cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries, Shoigu said.
"The required pace was set by our agreements reached in Tashkent in May. This primarily concerns joint measures to ensure the two countries' military security, increase the combat potential of the Uzbek Armed Forces, and train Armed Forces personnel," he said.