Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister discusses bilateral ties and global issues in Beijing

Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, during his visit to the People's Republic of China, met with members of the Center for China and Globalization, a prominent Chinese think tank, in Beijing today.

Speaking with the think tank, the Deputy Minister outlined Azerbaijan's foreign policy priorities and its stance on international and regional matters, emphasizing the strong relationship with friendly nations, particularly the People's Republic of China. He highlighted Azerbaijan's active foreign policy as a respected member of the international community, having restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty through the 44-day Patriotic War and the September 2023 anti-terrorist measures. He underscored Azerbaijan's commitment to global peace, stability, justice, and equitable cooperation, noting Baku's interest in a more active role in addressing global challenges.

Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan, by ending nearly three decades of Armenian occupation, has not only restored historical justice, territorial integrity, and sovereignty but has also independently implemented the four relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The Deputy Minister reiterated Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, stating that the new realities forged through Azerbaijan's resolve have created significant new opportunities for regional cooperation. He elaborated on the demining efforts in the liberated territories, the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, and the restoration of cultural heritage, stressing the importance of international, including Chinese, companies' active involvement in these endeavors.

Discussing Azerbaijan-China relations, Deputy Minister Mammadov highlighted the active dialogue between Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Xi Jinping, based on friendship, mutual trust, and respect, as a guiding force for the development of bilateral ties and multifaceted cooperation. He recalled the Joint Declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership, adopted during the leaders' meeting in Astana last July, which elevated the relationship to a new level and opened further avenues for enhanced cooperation across all sectors.

Touching upon economic cooperation, Mammadov noted that trade turnover between Azerbaijan, which accounts for 70 percent of the South Caucasus' GDP, and China increased by 20.7 percent last year compared to 2023. He highlighted China as one of Azerbaijan's top five trading partners, with nearly 300 Chinese-invested companies operating in Azerbaijan. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in various economic sectors, including energy, transport-logistics, industry, and agriculture, and the establishment of Azerbaijan Trade or Wine Houses in various Chinese cities.

Mammadov emphasized Azerbaijan's historically significant role on trade routes and the favorable transport and logistics infrastructure developed in recent years, facilitating cargo transit between East and West, North and South. He noted that Azerbaijan is a major investor in the "Belt and Road" initiative after China, both within and beyond its borders, with a 78 percent increase in transit shipments between the two countries in the first nine months of last year compared to the same period.

In his address, the Deputy Minister also touched upon bilateral cooperation in tourism, humanitarian affairs, science, and education, acknowledging the crucial role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in these areas and underscoring the importance of inter-regional cooperation between the two nations.

The meeting concluded with responses to questions from the participants.

Shahin Jafarov

AZERTAC Special Correspondent

Beijing