Xi Jinping to Pay Official Visit to Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is interested in the participation of a large number of Chinese companies in its economy. This was stated by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at a Sunday meeting with the delegation led by the special envoy of the President of the People's Republic of China, member of the Political Council of the CPC, Secretary of Political and Legislative Affairs of the Central Committee - Security Council Secretary Meng Jianzhu. During the meeting Jianzhu expressed the wish of President Xi Jinping to visit Azerbaijan.

According to the official report published on the website of the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev noted at the meeting that cooperation between the two countries covers many areas and develops successfully in political, economic, transport, and trade spheres. Enhanced cooperation in law enforcement and security can contribute to the strengthening of the bilateral relations, Aliyev said.

Jianzhu, passing greetings from President Xi Jinping, said the delegation that arrived in Azerbaijan includes senior representatives of all law enforcement and security agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

According to him, China is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of law enforcement, security, counter-terrorism, transnational economic crime, cybercrime, and security along the Great Silk Road and other areas. The special envoy of the head of China said security cooperation can contribute to regional cooperation. Jianzhu emphasized that the Great Silk Road is a promising project.

He said the main purpose of the visit is to give impetus to the implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries during the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China. Jianzhu also announced Xi Jinping’s intention to visit Azerbaijan.

Aliyev, for his part, said China is a friendly and fraternal country for Azerbaijan and developing relations with China is the main focus of the foreign policy of Baku.

The head of state pointed to good prospects for cooperation in the sphere of cargo transportation by rail from China to Europe via Azerbaijan. Noting the importance of expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism, President Ilham Aliyev said his country is faced with the Armenian terrorism and separatism. He stressed the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved based on the norms and principles of international law, within the framework of our country's territorial integrity. The head of state reiterated support for China's territorial integrity by Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev said his country is interested in the participation of an increasing number of Chinese companies in the economy of Azerbaijan and expansion of cooperation in the tourism sector. The head of state expressed his gratitude for China's support of Azerbaijan in receiving the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and stressed that the active cooperation with this organization is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy.

Aliyev invited Xi Jinping's official visit to Azerbaijan at a convenient time for him.

At the meeting, the results of the last meeting in Vienna have been discussed in connection with the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Chinese side expressed its interest in an early peaceful settlement of the conflict. The special envoy of the President of the People's Republic of China Meng Jianzhu said his country respects the efforts to ensure the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

It should be noted Chinese leaders have not ever made visits to Azerbaijan before. -06D--