AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 5 2005

FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN VISITING CHINA
[February 05, 2005, 13:10:18]

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar
Mammadyarov is on an official visit in the People’s Republic of
China. On February 4, Mr. Mammadyarov met his Chinese counterpart Li
Zhaoxing.

Welcoming foreign minister of Azerbaijan, Li Zhaoxing noted that all
necessary preparatory works are underway for the upcoming official
visit of the Azerbaijan President to this country. Reminding his
visit to Baku a few times ago, Mr. Zhaoxing said he has good
impressions of his meetings in Azerbaijan.

Expressing his gratitude for cordial reception, Elmar Mammadyarov
underlined that the visit of his Chinese colleague to Azerbaijan
would play significant role in the bilateral relations in the years
ahead. Noting that President of Azerbaijani Republic Ilham Aliyev has
with great pleasure accepted the invitation of the Chairman of the
People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, Mr. Mammadyarov expressed
confidence this visit would give strong impetus to bilateral links
between the two countries. `Our political relations will continue in
the atmosphere of mutual understanding and they will have certain
impact on our economic links either’, Mr. Mammadyarov emphasized.

Foreign minister of Chinese Republic Li Zhaoxing requested his
Azerbaijani colleague to convey greetings of the Chairman of the
People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao to the President of the Republic
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Head of the foreign policy department of
Azerbaijan Republic said bilateral relations are the priority in the
current policy of Azerbaijan in regard with China.

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-Gras 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.

As to development of links in the field of economy, Mr. Elmar
Mammadyarov has noted necessity of strengthening of relations for
such important spheres, as agro-business, petro-chemistry, tourism.
Having reminded about Olympic games in 2008 in China, the Minister
has emphasized importance of development for this period of relations
and in the field of sports.

Then, the Vice-Premier of China has especially noted that there are
favorable circumstances for the further continuation of cooperation
with Azerbaijan in the field of energy carriers. Having ascertained
that Azerbaijan shows special interest to work forthcoming within the
framework of TRACECA program, Mr. Huang Ju has emphasized that the
Chinese side would use the best efforts in this field.

The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has met
the deputy foreign minister of China Dai Binguo, and having noted,
that is glad to see the Minister in China, has emphasized, that
cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of two
countries would bring good results. Having touched the
transformations, which have occurred in China for last twenty years,
he has noted, that all this has appeared after reform of
transparency.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, having informed, that spoke with the
Chinese colleague about expansion of economic relations and
importance of closer links at a bilateral level for high development
of these connections, also informed on the detailed conversation
connected to restoration of transport infrastructure of Azerbaijan
which he has carried out at the meeting with official representatives
of Sintzian – Uygur autonomous province. Especially having
emphasized, that in case of realization of the question, it will
render positive influence on relations of Azerbaijan with the western
region of China, the Minister has noted interest of both sides in
construction of the terminal at the Heydar Aliyev International
Airport in Baku.

Highly having estimated absence between two countries of disagreement
in opinions, the deputy foreign minister of China has expressed
confidence that Azerbaijan will remain the friend of China.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov informed that after
gaining independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan has passed to free
market economy, it realizes wide programs of privatization, that due
to the policy spent by President Ilham Aliyev, have been opened new
workplaces. Having emphasized importance of development of the
non-oil sector, the Minister has noted that cooperation with China in
this area would bring positive results. Having declared that
Azerbaijan supports peace settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Minister has emphasized importance of
solution of the problem as a result of joint efforts of the
international community.

Having expressed hope for settlement of the conflict on the basis of
principles of justice, the deputy foreign minister of China has
noted, that his country supports territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

The same day, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has given interview to the
Chinese news agency ” Xinxua” and agency ” Interfax ” about results
of the visit.