ISTANBUL

Russia and Uzbekistan on Wednesday adopted a military strategic partnership program for the period between 2026 and 2030.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram said the agreement, as well as a cooperation plan for 2025, was signed following talks between Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and his Uzbek counterpart Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov in Tashkent.

Belousov, who arrived in the Uzbek capital on an official visit earlier in the day, later held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A separate ministry statement said Mirziyoyev and Belousov touched on issues of regional security and gave assessments on the military-political situation in Central Asia.

A readout by the Uzbek presidency said Mirziyoyev hosted a meeting with Belousov in which they discussed issues concerning the further development of Uzbek-Russian relations.