On May 22, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu, who is in Uzbekistan on an official visit. 

Warmly welcoming the guest, the Head of the state expressed deep satisfaction with consistent strengthening of Uzbekistan – Russia strategic partnership and alliance relations, as well as with high dynamics of development of practical cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. 

Intensification of contacts and exchanges between departments, regions and business circles of the two countries, joint implementation of promising programs and projects of cooperation in various sectors of the economy and social sphere, fruitful interaction in cultural and humanitarian sphere were emphasized. 

During the conversation, issues of further expansion of military and military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia, including close interdepartmental partnership, holding bilateral events, training military personnel and others were considered. 

Views were exchanged on relevant aspects of international policy and the regional agenda. 

The Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his warm welcome and conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. 

Support was expressed for the large-scale reforms carried out in the republic on modernization of the Armed Forces and strengthening the defense capacity of Uzbekistan, as well as the initiatives of Uzbekistan on ensuring regional security, stability and sustainable development were highly appreciated. 

The readiness of the Russian side to further expand and deepen full-scale and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation for the benefit of the two countries and people was emphasized. 

UzA