Uzbek President Welcomes Long-term Strategic Cooperaiton With Russia

While in Moscow, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has made it clear that Uzbekistan finds long-term strategic partnership and military-technology trade with Russia very important. He welcomed Russia's presence in Central Asia, regarding it as a vehicle of attaining stability and security in the region. Islam Karimov expressed content with the attitude of respect and confidentiality the Uzbek side felt from the Russian leaders at the Friday talks. For his part, President Putin referred to military technology cooperation as a major but not the only and crucial avenue of bilateral contacts. He insisted on economic links as a basis of stable relationship.