United States Department of Defense

UNITED STATES AND UZBEKISTAN DEFENSE CHIEFS SIGNMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Secretary of Defense William J. Perry and Republic of Uzbekistan Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Rustam Akmedov signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Pentagon today, formalizing the defense and security relationship between their two countries.

This is the first MOU signed between the Department of Defense and a non-nuclear state of the former Soviet Union. As such, it demonstrates the commitment of both countries to building a strong cooperative relationship and a prosperous, democratic and independent Uzbekistan.

The MOU will serve as the framework for cooperative defense relations between the two countries. These relations will comprise a variety of defense and military contacts designed to enhance mutual understanding and international security. The contact programs include an enhanced International Military Education and Training program and the multilateral Partnership for Peace program.