Russia and Uzbekistan join efforts to repulse external aggression from USA

A military invasion in Uzbekistan is hardly possible – the US administration will probably try to organize a coup there instead

Islam Karimov, the President of Uzbekistan, arrived in Moscow with an official visit. The signing of the union treaty between Russia and Uzbekistan became the main result of Karimov's visit. In addition to economic cooperation, the document also envisages reciprocal assistance in case of extern aggression shown against one of the sides.

”To guarantee security, maintain peace and stability in necessary occasions on the base of separate contracts, the sides agree to use military objects situated on their territories,” Interfax cited the text of the contract.

The presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan are certain that the new agreement will give an additional impetus to bilateral relations between the two countries. “Russia will not feel sorry about its signature on the treaty. I am certain of that. This is an unprecedented event that Russia is signing the union treaty with Uzbekistan. This is a totally new level of relations with Russia,” Uzbek President Islam Karimov said. “The signing of the treaty will become a new step in the development of the bilateral cooperation, which in its turn will create a legal base to give an incentive to the development of Russian-Uzbek ties in all directions,” Vladimir Putin stated after the official meeting with the president of Uzbekistan.

Pravda.Ru asked scientists of politics, Andrei Grozin and Vladimir Razuvayev, to comment on the new agreement between Russia and Uzbekistan.

Andrei Grozin, the director of the Central Asia Department of the CIS Institute:

”Uzbekistan does not have any other choice but to sign the treaty of allied relations with Russia. A group of US congressmen has already threatened to put Karimov on international trail for his refusal to collaborate in the investigation of the bloody events in Andijan. The USA and the European Union have declared informational war on Uzbekistan. However, a military invasion in Uzbekistan is hardly possible – the US administration will probably try to organize a coup there instead. On the other hand, Russia is not likely to aggravate relations with the USA. It probably goes about a certain anti-terrorist center within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, for instance.

”Uzbekistan is the largest country of Central Asia, which accumulates over 50 percent of its entire population. The country has basically built the state-run capitalist system; now they are going to privatize the nation's major economic structures. Such Russian giants as Gazprom and LUKoil have been eyeing the Uzbek market for years, and now they will have a simpler access to it,” the specialist said.

Vladimir Razuvayev, the chairman of the center for economic and political research and developments:

”Uzbekistan will gain a lot from this union. First and foremost, the country will get Russia, an influential protector in international scale. In addition, the union with Russia will not let it become another example of oriental despotism, like it happened in the neighbouring state of Turkmenistan. Russia will get an opportunity to confirm its status of a regional superpower, which is an important aspect, taking into consideration the fact that almost all Russian neighbours try to cast doubts on this status. To crown it all, Russia will have more opportunities to control this region, which is known for its narcotic substances and extremist sentiments,” Mr. Razuvayev said.

Vadim Trukhachev