Interfax
December 22

Uzbekistan and Turkey on Friday pledged to build up military cooperation as a way of fending off the threat of terrorism.

Uzbekistan "has for a long time been involved in military technological cooperation with Turkey," Uzbek President Islam Karimov told a news conference given by himself and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tashkent.

Karimov said that the potential and experience of the Turkish armed forces were highly valued in Uzbekistan and that his country recently received Turkish military aid worth $2 million.

He pointed out the experience of Turkish mountain and anti- terrorism forces as a point of special interest for Uzbekistan.

He also praised the Turkish air force.

"We are aware of the level of the Turkish air force and we are attracted by the opportunity of having our military pilots train in that country," he said.

Erdogan, who arrived on Thursday for a three-day visit to Uzbekistan, told the news conference that the exchange of intelligence is an important part of the anti-terror fight.

Karimov, meanwhile, complained that "combating terrorism is becoming a very trendy commodity, very much in demand," and insisted on fighting "terrorist ideology" and "centers where it comes from and where terrorist acts are planned and financed."

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