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March 23 2005
PRESS SECRETARY OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT HOLDS BRIEFING ON CONCLUSIONS
OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV'S STATE VISIT TO CHINA
[March 23, 2005, 17:00:38]
Press secretary of Azerbaijan President on March 23 at the President
Palace held briefing on conclusions of President Ilham Aliyev's state
visit on March 17-19 to the People's Republic of China.
Addressing the media representatives, the press secretary of the
President, said:
-As you know, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on March 17-19 has
been on a state visit in the People's Republic of China. I would like
to inform you that according to the rules established by
international protocol there could be state and official visits. The
visit to the People's Republic of China was the highest state visit.
Realization of this visit on the state level derives from the fact
that China pays great attention on mutually beneficial links and the
political relations between countries are at high level.
As you know, the People's Republic of China is one of the first
countries to recognize state independence of Azerbaijan. China has
recognized independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. Successful visit of
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev to China in 1994
has made bright contribution to foundation of the today's relations.
Development of the relations with China in numerous fields is one of
the priorities in foreign policy of Azerbaijan.
First of all, I would like to brief on the People's Republic of
China. As you know, large-scale reforms carried out in the People's
Republic of China since 1978, the country has reached notable
successes. So, in 1990-2001, economic growth in china averaged 10
percent. Currently, from the point of view of economic development,
China holds the sixth place in the world. And is one of the leaders
in energy consumption. China, in 2003, was the second great energy
consumer in the world. At the same time, it is the third energy
producer in the world. Major part of China's energy consumption is
coal and the country is the greatest producer and consumer of coal.
Currently, China is one of few world countries with greater foreign
investments. Only in 2003, foreign investments in China made up 53
billion US dollars, and totally, the figure averaged 501 billion US
dollars. GDP made up 9,1 percent, while growth of industrial goods -
30,4 percent. As you see, China currently is one of the most
developed world states and development of Azerbaijan's relations with
this country is evidence to success of the foreign policy of
Azerbaijan.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and China is versatile. These
relations have legal ground. Since 1994, some 15 agreements,
contracts and protocols were signed with China, that is, documents on
promotion and protection of investments, cooperation in
scientific-technical field, air transportations and other fields of
economy. Currently, the sides consider signing of new agreements on
economy, tax, culture and other fields.
Hitherto, the Chinese investors have invested in Azerbaijan 300
million UDS dollars, approximately. The enterprises with the Chinese
investments have been registered in Azerbaijan mainly in the oil
sector, food industry, tele-communication. The Chinese oil companies
take part in development of the Azerbaijani oil fields. Two affiliate
companies of the State Company of China are engaged in oil
development in Kursengi, Garabagli, South-Western Gobustan and
Pirsaat onshore deposits.
As you know, the first meeting of the joint working group was held in
February 2003. One of the most important directions of our
cooperation is bilateral trade links. If the trade turnover between
Azerbaijan and China, in 2002, made up $52,3 million, in 2004, it has
made $177,2 million, including export form Azerbaijan to China made
$31,7 million. In comparison with the same period of 2003, volume of
trade turnover has increased by 58,7 percent. In 2004, main export
goods from Azerbaijan to China were crude, polyethylene, spare parts
for tunnel devices. China has exported to Azerbaijan industrial
equipment, mechanical devices and spar parts to them, electric
machines and equipment and other goods.
On the first day of the state visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev to China, 17 March, was held a meeting with the Chairman of
the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao at the Parliament building
of China. Mr. Jintao expressed delight with rapid development of the
relations that existed from the ancient Silk Road times between two
countries, noting that the visit of President Ilham Aliyev would make
special contributions to expansion of these relations. Discussed were
numerous questions. The moments specified by the Chairman of the
People's Republic of China are: "China was one of the first foreign
countries to recognize state independence of Azerbaijan. Successful
visit of President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to China in 1994, has
greatly contributed to foundation of the bilateral relations.
Currently the policy of President Ilham Aliyev for development of
relations with China is duly appreciated. The reciprocal visits of
high rank officials are of great importance. Great works are realized
under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, to speed economic
development and improve living conditions of the population.
Azerbaijan takes active part in the regional and international
affairs and its prestige rises. The Chinese leadership highly
assesses policy of Azerbaijan related to the question of common China
and expresses gratitude for this to the President of Azerbaijan".
Further, the press secretary dwelt on the attitude of the Chairman of
the People's Republic of China who expressed position of the Chinese
leadership related the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
expansion of the economic relations between two countries, in the
field of trade and investments, supported by leadership of both
states. China supports admission of Azerbaijan to the World Trade
organization.
The Press Secretary noted that the Chairman of the People's Republic
of China stated that government of China has granted to Azerbaijan 15
million Yuan. The sides will cooperate in the field of tourism,
sports, culture, education and others. Noting that the Olympic in
2008 will be held in China, Mr. Jintao said the country's public is
aware of the successes of the Azerbaijan Olympic national team, and
added that Azerbaijan sportsmen would gain new victories in these
contests.
Press secretary of the Azerbaijan President also reminded the moments
specified by the Azerbaijan President in the same meeting.
During the talks, President Ilham Aliyev has officially invited Mr.
Hu Jintao to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, and as is known,
the invitation was accepted.
The press secretary also reminded the business forum held on March 18
and speech of Azerbaijan President at this action, the meetings of
the Head of the Azerbaijan State with high officials of the People's
Republic of China, on the signed documents on cooperation in numerous
fields between two countries, other visits of Azerbaijan President in
the cities of Shanghai and Urumchi.
The press secretary said that the state visit of President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the People's Republic of China was
fruitful and would promote further development of relations between
Azerbaijan and China.
***
Then, the press secretary answered questions of the media
representatives.
March 23 2005
PRESS SECRETARY OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT HOLDS BRIEFING ON CONCLUSIONS
OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV'S STATE VISIT TO CHINA
[March 23, 2005, 17:00:38]
Press secretary of Azerbaijan President on March 23 at the President
Palace held briefing on conclusions of President Ilham Aliyev's state
visit on March 17-19 to the People's Republic of China.
Addressing the media representatives, the press secretary of the
President, said:
-As you know, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on March 17-19 has
been on a state visit in the People's Republic of China. I would like
to inform you that according to the rules established by
international protocol there could be state and official visits. The
visit to the People's Republic of China was the highest state visit.
Realization of this visit on the state level derives from the fact
that China pays great attention on mutually beneficial links and the
political relations between countries are at high level.
As you know, the People's Republic of China is one of the first
countries to recognize state independence of Azerbaijan. China has
recognized independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. Successful visit of
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev to China in 1994
has made bright contribution to foundation of the today's relations.
Development of the relations with China in numerous fields is one of
the priorities in foreign policy of Azerbaijan.
First of all, I would like to brief on the People's Republic of
China. As you know, large-scale reforms carried out in the People's
Republic of China since 1978, the country has reached notable
successes. So, in 1990-2001, economic growth in china averaged 10
percent. Currently, from the point of view of economic development,
China holds the sixth place in the world. And is one of the leaders
in energy consumption. China, in 2003, was the second great energy
consumer in the world. At the same time, it is the third energy
producer in the world. Major part of China's energy consumption is
coal and the country is the greatest producer and consumer of coal.
Currently, China is one of few world countries with greater foreign
investments. Only in 2003, foreign investments in China made up 53
billion US dollars, and totally, the figure averaged 501 billion US
dollars. GDP made up 9,1 percent, while growth of industrial goods -
30,4 percent. As you see, China currently is one of the most
developed world states and development of Azerbaijan's relations with
this country is evidence to success of the foreign policy of
Azerbaijan.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and China is versatile. These
relations have legal ground. Since 1994, some 15 agreements,
contracts and protocols were signed with China, that is, documents on
promotion and protection of investments, cooperation in
scientific-technical field, air transportations and other fields of
economy. Currently, the sides consider signing of new agreements on
economy, tax, culture and other fields.
Hitherto, the Chinese investors have invested in Azerbaijan 300
million UDS dollars, approximately. The enterprises with the Chinese
investments have been registered in Azerbaijan mainly in the oil
sector, food industry, tele-communication. The Chinese oil companies
take part in development of the Azerbaijani oil fields. Two affiliate
companies of the State Company of China are engaged in oil
development in Kursengi, Garabagli, South-Western Gobustan and
Pirsaat onshore deposits.
As you know, the first meeting of the joint working group was held in
February 2003. One of the most important directions of our
cooperation is bilateral trade links. If the trade turnover between
Azerbaijan and China, in 2002, made up $52,3 million, in 2004, it has
made $177,2 million, including export form Azerbaijan to China made
$31,7 million. In comparison with the same period of 2003, volume of
trade turnover has increased by 58,7 percent. In 2004, main export
goods from Azerbaijan to China were crude, polyethylene, spare parts
for tunnel devices. China has exported to Azerbaijan industrial
equipment, mechanical devices and spar parts to them, electric
machines and equipment and other goods.
On the first day of the state visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev to China, 17 March, was held a meeting with the Chairman of
the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao at the Parliament building
of China. Mr. Jintao expressed delight with rapid development of the
relations that existed from the ancient Silk Road times between two
countries, noting that the visit of President Ilham Aliyev would make
special contributions to expansion of these relations. Discussed were
numerous questions. The moments specified by the Chairman of the
People's Republic of China are: "China was one of the first foreign
countries to recognize state independence of Azerbaijan. Successful
visit of President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to China in 1994, has
greatly contributed to foundation of the bilateral relations.
Currently the policy of President Ilham Aliyev for development of
relations with China is duly appreciated. The reciprocal visits of
high rank officials are of great importance. Great works are realized
under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, to speed economic
development and improve living conditions of the population.
Azerbaijan takes active part in the regional and international
affairs and its prestige rises. The Chinese leadership highly
assesses policy of Azerbaijan related to the question of common China
and expresses gratitude for this to the President of Azerbaijan".
Further, the press secretary dwelt on the attitude of the Chairman of
the People's Republic of China who expressed position of the Chinese
leadership related the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
expansion of the economic relations between two countries, in the
field of trade and investments, supported by leadership of both
states. China supports admission of Azerbaijan to the World Trade
organization.
The Press Secretary noted that the Chairman of the People's Republic
of China stated that government of China has granted to Azerbaijan 15
million Yuan. The sides will cooperate in the field of tourism,
sports, culture, education and others. Noting that the Olympic in
2008 will be held in China, Mr. Jintao said the country's public is
aware of the successes of the Azerbaijan Olympic national team, and
added that Azerbaijan sportsmen would gain new victories in these
contests.
Press secretary of the Azerbaijan President also reminded the moments
specified by the Azerbaijan President in the same meeting.
During the talks, President Ilham Aliyev has officially invited Mr.
Hu Jintao to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, and as is known,
the invitation was accepted.
The press secretary also reminded the business forum held on March 18
and speech of Azerbaijan President at this action, the meetings of
the Head of the Azerbaijan State with high officials of the People's
Republic of China, on the signed documents on cooperation in numerous
fields between two countries, other visits of Azerbaijan President in
the cities of Shanghai and Urumchi.
The press secretary said that the state visit of President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the People's Republic of China was
fruitful and would promote further development of relations between
Azerbaijan and China.
***
Then, the press secretary answered questions of the media
representatives.