The United States will continue military cooperation with Uzbekistan directed to strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia region, the Commander of the US Central Command General John Abizaid told journalists in Tashkent

The United States will continue military cooperation with Uzbekistan directed to strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia region, the Commander of the US Central Command General John Abizaid told journalists in Tashkent. "We will continue and strengthen cooperation between military forces of Uzbekistan and the United States to strengthen peace and stability in the region and Afghanistan. We keep on our cooperation with Uzbekistan directed to our common enemies," he said. During his visit to Uzbekistan, General Abizaid met the Uzbek Defence Minister Kadyr Gulyamov and the Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev. Speaking about the meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister, US General said the sides discussed issues of military-technical cooperation between the two countries and rendering assistance in military reforms in Uzbekistan, determined perspectives of interaction in strengthening security and stability in Central Asia. General said that the visit was aimed at discussion of bilateral relations, support and maintenance of stability in the region. General Abizaid assumed duties as the Commander, US Central Command on 7 July 2003. Previously, General Abizaid served as the Assistant Division Commander, 1st Armored Division, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Following that tour, he served as the 66th Commandant at West Point. Later, he commanded the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One," in Wurzburg that provided the first US ground forces into Kosovo. He served as the Deputy Commander (Forward), Combined Forces Command, US Central Command during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.