Uzbekistan not planning to join coalitions, host foreign army bases - president
TASHKENT. Jan 13 (Interfax) - The military doctrine of Uzbekistan is one of a defensive nature, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said.
"I would like to reiterate that our military doctrine is of a defensive nature, and the country's efforts to boost its armed forces are aimed primarily at protecting its state sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peace and quiet of our citizens," Karimov said in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces, which was circulated by state media on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan will not join any military political unions and coalitions, nor will it host foreign military bases and facilities, he said.
"This is exactly why Uzbekistan, as a non-aligned state, made quite a conscientious and thoroughly considered step by making an important choice for itself: to pursue a peaceful policy and not to join military-political unions and coalitions, not to allow foreign military bases and facilities to be deployed in its territory, and not to participate in peacekeeping operations abroad," the president said.
On January 14 Uzbekistan marks the Day of the Motherland Defenders.