Nordic Monitor/Stockholm
Turkey is set to approve a comprehensive military framework agreement with Uzbekistan that includes intelligence sharing, joint exercises, training and defense industry and logistics cooperation.
The agreement, a copy of which was obtained by Nordic Monitor, details the full scope of cooperation on military matters including military training, participation in joint military exercises, the defense industry, the exchange of military intelligence, logistics, communications, electronics, cyber defense and the exchange of military personnel and advisors.
The agreement was signed on March 29, 2022 in Tashkent by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his counterpart, Bakhodir Kurbanov. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent the agreement to parliament for ratification on June 15, 2022. It is currently with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense committees for review.
Full text of the Turkey-Uzbekistan military framework agreement:
The agreement was written in a way to allow for further agreements, MOUs and protocols in military matters, meaning that such agreements do not need to be disclosed and submitted to parliament for approval. “The Parties may conclude complementary memoranda of understanding, protocols and arrangements for the implementation of this Agreement …” Article 5 states.
The information exchanged as part of the agreement would remain confidential and not shared with any third party even after termination of the agreement.
Turkey and Uzbekistan agreed to cooperate in intelligence sharing on third countries jointly considered harmful to their mutual interests.
“This article shall cover the developments in the area of interest of the Armed forces of the Parties regarding those countries considered to damage the mutual interests of the Parties and to be determined jointly, with priority being given to the military activities and exchange of military intelligence information about the activities of these countries in the Republic of Turkiye and Republic of Uzbekistan,” reads the first paragraph of Article 9 on military intelligence.
The agreement is valid for five years with automatic renewal unless either party decides to withdraw.
Turkish president’s letter to parliament seeking approval of the agreement between Turkey and Uzbekistan:
