Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met on 2 April with the visiting delegation led by Liu Jianchao, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Head of the International Relations Department of the CPC CC.

Greeting the guest and the delegation led by him, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova spoke with appreciation of the high level of the relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China.

It was remarked that our countries co-operated successfully in many areas and almost demonstrated mutual support concerning matters of special weight. Azerbaijan has always supported the ‘Whole China’ policy and China’s territorial integrity unequivocally. Azerbaijan also appreciates highly China’s support for her territorial integrity and sovereignty; our countries protect each other’s interests in international organisations.

The substantial role of high-level visits and meetings of the Heads of State in the deepening and evolution of the links between our countries was brought up as the conversation went on. It was stressed that the ties established by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev continued with successful under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.

Further, they exchanged views on the Joint Declaration of Organising Strategic Partnership between our countries, the significance of the high-level political dialogue that is based on mutual trust, and the role of regular contacts between the New Azerbaijan Party and the Communist Party of China in the progress of the bilateral ties. They, besides, reviewed the prospects for economic, trading, renewable-energy and otherwise co-operation as well as the projects implemented under the One Belt. One Road initiative by Azerbaijan – the first of her region’s countries to back the Initiative.

The conversation moved on to the current co-operation to develop the Middle Corridor; it was said that re-opening of communications in the region and materialisation of the Zangazur Corridor initiative would come as yet another contribution from Azerbaijan to the One Belt. One Road Initiative.

They then spoke of deepening the humanitarian, academic, educational, cultural and other co-operation, the input in the furtherance of our bilateral inter-state relations that comes from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, both of which are the main drivers of the cultural and humanitarian exchange between Azerbaijan and China.

Touching the importance of the inter-parliamentary co-operation between Azerbaijan and China, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova remarked that the Milli Majlis deemed strengthening the bonds with the Chinese colleagues a matter of special significance. The working group for the inter-parliamentary relations with China is working on this successfully; meanwhile, we remain interested in a continued progress of the ties with the Parliament of China on various planes.

Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC CC) and Head of the CPC CC International Relations Department Liu Jianchao thanked for the meeting and said he was glad that his wish to visit Azerbaijan had been fulfilled.

The guest shared views on the progress of the relations between our countries and parliaments, the work done since the diplomatic relations were established, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s outstanding contribution to that process, the collaboration for the One Belt. One Road initiative, transition to green economy and bilateral co-operation development prospects.

It was said that the ties between the Communist Party of China and the New Azerbaijan Party had a special part in the advancement of the bilateral relations and were important for experience exchange as well as for the strengthening of our solidarity in the face of global security challenges.

The guest thanked Azerbaijan for her support for the ‘Whole China’ policy and commented on the prospects for co-operation between our countries and parliaments.

Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and Head of its Central Administration Tahir Budagov, Members of the Milli Majlis and other officials took part in the meeting.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis