Press-release, 9 February 2005

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China during 3-5 February, 2005.

On February 4, Mr. Mammadyarov met his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing. The Chinese foreign minister thanked for unambiguous position in the question of single China, reiterating that the State of China supports the position of Azerbaijan in its fair cause - the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, backs its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Noting that currently there are all conditions in Azerbaijan for business activity, Li Zhaoxing said evidence to that is the opportunities created for the Chinese companies in Baku.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the State of Azerbaijan pays great attention to acquiring certain agreement in elimination of double taxation, reduction of customs dues, expansion of trade-economics ties, involvement of investments, other contacts in the telecommunications, humanitarian, cultural and transport spheres which will be in focus during the visit of the head of the Azerbaijan State to China. The Chinese minister said his country is interested in construction of the Tbilisi-Gars railway in the frame of TRACECA program and the Chinese side stands ready to carry out consultations at the level of specialists.

Expressing hope for further cooperation in the frame of international organizations, the Chinese minister said China has supported and would support Azerbaijan in its admission to the World Trade Organization. Reminding on grants China provided for Azerbaijan Republic, Mr. Li Zhaoxing highly evaluated the country's intention to use these credit for construction of commercial center of China in Baku. Saying his county is interested also in transport cooperation with Azerbaijan, the Chinese minister reminded on experience of China in this field and stressed necessity of conducting relevant consultations.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed that as a result of aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan the railway communication with Nakhchivan - the integral part of the Republic - has been stopped. Having touched the meetings which have been carried out between Ministers of Foreign Affairs of two countries in connection with settlement of the conflict, Elmar Mammadyarov has expressed gratitude for the invariance position of China in the given question and support of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He informed that in connection with artificial settlement by the Armenian side of the population on the occupied territories, the OSCE fact-finding mission has visited region.

The same day, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met the Vice-Premier of China Huang Ju.

Mr. Huang Ju, having noted, that is glad to official visit of Elmar Mammadyarov to China, has emphasized, that the diplomatic relations established from 1992 between Azerbaijan and China day by day develop, and intensive visits carried out between two countries play a special role in strengthening of these relations. Highly having estimated stable position of Azerbaijan in regional questions, Huang Ju has noted, that his state is interested in development of relations between two countries in all spheres, including in the field of economy. The Vice-Premier has expressed confidence that due to expedient policy spent by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, social stability, economic development in the country achieve higher level. The Vice-Premier, with deep satisfaction having recollected that the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev paid to relations with China special attention and in March 1994 has made official visit to his country, has expressed hope that official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to China would bring in the positive contribution to relations between political leaders of two countries.

Having emphasized the mutual understanding existing between two countries at a high political level, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has noted importance of continuation of these relations and within the framework of the international organizations. Having touched the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and especially having noted, that as a result of the conflict and occupations of the country's territories, one million citizens of Azerbaijan have been expelled from the native lands and have turned to refugees and IDPs, the Minister has once again expressed gratitude for support of the fair position of Azerbaijan by China in the given question.

Site Designed by Flexible Solutions