The U.S. and Uzbek ministries of defense have signed an agreement on military cooperation, including training and educational exchanges, a U.S. embassy spokesman said on Thursday.

The Tashkent embassy official told RIA Novosti the document was signed by Uzbek Maj. Gen. Kabul Berdieyev and Gen. David Petraeus during the latter's one-day visit to the Central Asian country on August 18.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov told a top U.S. military official on Tuesday that his country was ready to strengthen ties with the United States on equal partnership terms.

"Petraeus told Karimov that the current U.S. administration is interested in cooperation with Uzbekistan in several areas," a spokesperson said.