Belarus – Uzbekistan. Positive Dynamics of Bilateral Relations in Military-Technical Cooperation

In late October 2018, Viktor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, visited Belarus. Within the framework of his stay, he planned to discuss a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues including those aimed at promoting Belarusian goods and military services to the Uzbek market.
At the meeting with the Uzbek delegation head, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko affirmed adherence to agreements on developing cooperation with Uzbekistan and noted the dynamics of relations between the two countries.
The head of state reminded the guests that during his recent visit to Uzbekistan the parties agreed to work out a specific roadmap for further development of cooperation. One of its sections is devoted to military-technical cooperation, and that was the purpose of Viktor Makhmudov’s visit.
In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko promised to share the Belarusian experience and best practice in this field, which would be of interest to Uzbekistan defence companies ranging from personnel training to armament.
Viktor Makhmudov pointed out positive cooperation between the countries in the military-technical sphere.
“Almost the whole roadmap planned for 2018, has been implemented. We are satisfied with the results achieved. Following our consultations, we signed a new roadmap for 2019–2020”, he said.
The programme of the visit also included meetings and negotiations with the leadership of a number of Belarusian defence companies.
During the visit, members of the Uzbek delegation familiarised themselves with defence companies’ facilities to develop and produce advanced military products.
“Purchasing armaments is always linked to budget expenditures. Uzbekistan faces the challenge of upgrading and re-equipping the army with the most up-to-date weapons until 2020. Now, in cooperating countries such as Belarus, the Uzbek delegation takes interest in weapon systems and military and special equipment, high technologies, as well as in military education issues. Of course, Belarus is a standing partner”, the chairman of Goscomvoyenprom said during a visit of representatives of the Uzbek delegation to Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant JSC on 24 October 2018. “We have a security cooperation roadmap for 2019–2020, which is signed by the secretaries of the Security Councils of the two countries, and will soon be approved by the heads of states. Of course, we know how to establish military-technical cooperation with Uzbekistan”, Roman Golovchenko noted.