First Massive Drills Of Uzbekistan Pursued Defensive Goals - Foreign Ministry

TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th December, 2018) The first massive drills in the history of Uzbekistan carried out last week pursued exclusively defensive goals, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement.

On November 26-30, the Uzbek Defense Ministry carried out the massive drills across the country. According to the Foreign Ministry, the Uzbek Embassy in the United States held a press briefing on the drills. During the briefing, Uzbek Ambassador to the United States Javlon Vakhabov said that the drills were carried out in line with the country's commitments to the neighboring states and were not damaging their interests.

"It was especially pointed out that these drills had not demonstrated aggression but pursued peaceful and defensive goals," the statement said.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry noted that the nation's army had been reformed within last two years so that to become more mobile and modern.

"The basic principles of the Uzbek defense policy are non-participation in military alliances, non-deployment of foreign military bases and facilities on its territory, non-sending its troops abroad to take part in peacekeeping missions," the statement said.

The ministry added that last year, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had created a state committee on defense industry, which will allow Uzbekistan to produce weapons and equipment for its army in the near future.