The fact that statements about Beijing's interest in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem on the basis of the principle of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan were voiced during Ilham Aliyev's visit to China is an amazing achievement of the President of Azerbaijan, the former US Assistant Secretary for the South Caucasus, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza, said in an interview to Vestnik Kavkaza.
"It's surprising... Of course, it is a serious result of President Aliyev's visit... The fact that the Chinese leader expressed his interest in a fair settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict means that he and President Aliyev may come to an agreement on strengthening the relations between the two countries in various spheres," he said.
"Since the probability that the UN Security Council, and China is a member of it, will participate in the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very small. Maybe China will be able to find a way to contribute as a mediator in this conflict," the former diplomat suggested.
Earlier, Matthew Bryza in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza expressed the view that the visit of Ilham Aliyev will be of great importance for Azerbaijan's participation in the Silk Road project. "President Aliyev's visit to Beijing could mark an important step in integrating Azerbaijan into the 'New Silk Road'. Azerbaijan could benefit significantly by participating in this project as a means of further diversifying its economy by realizing its potential as a key hub and corridor of East-West transit. And all the countries along this East-West corridor would benefit as well from Azerbaijan's proven reliability as a transit partner, which it demonstrates during the coalition's military deployments in Afghanistan," he said.
