President of Azerbaijan advocates closer ties with China

Interfax
25 Oct. 2004

Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the state of Azerbaijani-
Chinese economic relations and voiced hopes for closer cooperation.

During a meeting in Baku with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing,
“the president expressed satisfaction with the activity of Chinese
companies in Azerbaijan, especially in the fuel and energy sector,
and expressed hopes for successful cooperation in non-oil sectors as
well,” the Azerbaijani presidential press service told Interfax.

Aliyev and Li also discussed territorial problems. “Mutual support
by Baku and Beijing was noted on the Nagorno-Karabakh and Taiwan
problems,” the press service said.

Li said he hopes the planned visit by Aliyev to Beijing in 2005 will
strengthen relations.

Preparations for the visit and monitoring the enforcement of
Azerbaijani- Chinese agreements are the main goals of Li’s visit
to Baku.