On Thursday the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met with the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang, in Beijing.
Li Keqiang said that bilateral ties have been developing since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and this visit will give a new impetus to the expansion of cooperation.
The Premier of the State Council noted that Chinese companies are interested in being closely involved in the fields of infrastructure, production, energy and creation of railway and techno parks in Azerbaijan, which has a favorable geographical location, rich national resources and big energy potential.
According to the prime minister, his country is able to actively participate in the exploitation of the natural resources of Azerbaijan, oil and gas processing.
Li Keqiang noted the possibility of further expansion of cooperation in the humanitarian, educational and information and communication technologies spheres.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the results of his state visit to China would bring the two countries closer to each other. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to its cooperation with China, the head of state highlighted active political relations between the two countries, successful cooperation in international organizations. He said that Azerbaijan intends to develop its relations with China in all areas, adding that there is good potential for cooperation in the economic sphere, the president invited Chinese companies to work in Azerbaijan as investors and contractors. Azerbaijan is interested in expanding cooperation with Chinese companies in information and communication technologies, industrial production and the creation of industrial parks.
Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan supports the initiative of the President of China Xi Jinping to establish an economic zone along the ancient Silk Road. He said that Azerbaijan is also situated on the ancient Silk Road and that the country has a favorable geographical location and infrastructure potential for ensuring the transit of Chinese products from the country to Turkey and then to Europe. According to the President, the route that would pass through Azerbaijan could be the shortest way to deliver Chinese products to Europe. Azerbaijan is ready to make its contribution on this front. Azerbaijan can play an important role in the East-West and North-South transit corridor projects and concrete steps have already been taken in this sphere. The country is actively investing in transport infrastructure, which will be beneficial for the country’s neighbors and partners. Aliyev noted the existence of good potential for expanding cooperation in the fields of information and communication technologies, investment making, agriculture and tourism.
Hailing the successful development of relations in the political sphere, Ilham Aliyev stressed that the countries’ positions coincided on important issues and that Azerbaijan joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with dialogue partner status. The relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are among the priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Moreover, the two countries successfully cooperate in the UN and other international organizations.
