Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 14
Trend:
The non-fulfillment of the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in particular, those on the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories is regrettable, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.
Mammadyarov made the remarks at a meeting with a delegation headed by Deputy Director of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Zhou Li, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Nov. 14.
The minister added that China is also a member of the UN Security Council.
Mammadyarov expressed gratification with the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and China.
The Azerbaijani minister stressed that further promotion of the political dialogue between the two countries will give impetus to the new prospects for cooperation in the economic, trade and other spheres.
“Azerbaijan and China successfully cooperate,” Mammadyarov said, highlighting cooperation within the UN. “Azerbaijan is committed to the One China Policy.”
The Azerbaijani foreign minister said that attempts of changing internationally recognized borders with the use of force are unacceptable.
He added that the principles of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are reflected in all political documents signed between Azerbaijan and China.
Touching upon the bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere, Mammadyarov said that the trade turnover between the countries does not reflect the existing potential and the level of the political dialogue.
The minister stressed the importance of the work of the intergovernmental commission, the upcoming meeting of which will be held next year.
Recalling the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was commissioned on October 30, 2017, the minister said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the development of the East-West and North-South transport corridors.
He stressed that there are favorable opportunities for cooperation on this basis within the "One Belt, One Way" project, initiated by China.
Talking about the fundamental measures of diversifying the Azerbaijani economy, the Azerbaijani foreign minister expressed the hope that Chinese companies will be more actively represented in the non-oil sector of the country.
The Azerbaijani foreign minister also added that Baku is a candidate for holding EXPO-2025.
In his turn, head of the Chinese delegation Zhou Li said that 2017 is significant due to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China and the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.
He said that the development of Azerbaijan over the past 25 years is worthy of approval.
Zhou Li stressed that China attaches special importance to the intensification of bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, adding that China is interested in further development in the political sphere.
Zhou Li once again added that the Chinese side supports Azerbaijan's efforts to ensure territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
He added that there are ample opportunities for bilateral cooperation within the "One Belt, One Way" project.
“Azerbaijan is the leading country in the region and an important partner of China,” he said.
At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the further prospects of relations in the humanitarian, educational and tourism sectors.