Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Lord Coaker, has concluded an official visit to Tashkent — marking the first visit by a representative of the UK’s new government to Uzbekistan and his personal debut in Central Asia.

The purpose of the visit was to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and explore new avenues for strategic engagement.

During his stay, Lord Coaker held talks with key figures from Uzbekistan’s defense sector, including Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Khamdam Karshiyev and Commander of the National Guard Lieutenant General Rustam Juraev. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing defense partnership.

A highlight of the visit was Lord Coaker’s address at the Armed Forces Academy of Uzbekistan — the first such appearance by a UK defense minister at the institution. In his remarks, Lord Coaker underscored the importance of the 30-year defense relationship between the two countries and the vital role of education in strengthening bilateral ties.

“This visit marks a significant step forward in our defense engagement with Uzbekistan,” the minister stated. “We are committed to working closely with our Uzbek partners to promote regional stability, and believe that our shared values and dedication to international security will continue to be the foundation of a strong partnership.”

The visit reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize its national defense system and enhance regional security.