Uzbekistan and Russia: first military exercises

The first Russian-Uzbek military exercises will be held in Uzbekistan September 23, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said upon his arrival in the Uzbek capital Wednesday.

He said 200 Uzbek and 200 Russian troops would be involved in the exercises, including Russian airborne forces and special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate. "These exercises are very interesting and important," the minister said. "The exercises point to a new quality of bilateral relations, RIA Novosti reports.