Chinese, Azerbaijani presidents agree to boost ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Azerbaijani counterpart Aliyev in Shanghai, east China, May 20, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks Tuesday with visiting Azerbaijani counterpart Aliyev, both agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on various fronts.

Aliyev will attend the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) during his stay in Shanghai.

Hailing Azerbaijan's staunch support to China on issues concerning China's core interests, Xi also vowed support to Azerbaijan in its efforts to safeguard sovereignty, independence and to develop its economy.

Xi said, China is ready to boost exchanges between governments, legislatures, Parties of two countries in efforts to advance political trust, and is ready to promote people-to-people exchanges, as well as communications in international and regional affairs.

China will also encourage domestic enterprises to cooperate with the Azerbaijani side in infrastructure construction, transportation, communication, new energy, among other fields, Xi said.

Xi stressed, China holds a peaceful and friendly foreign policy towards members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and a peaceful and stable Caucasian region is in the common interests of all nations in that region, adding that China opposes to any outside interference in the regional affairs.

Aliyev said, China has set a good example to the international community by respecting other countries' development paths, and China's own development has provided ample opportunities for Azerbaijan.

Aliyev expressed hope for political support, Party-to-Party and people-to-people exchanges, and for participating in China's development of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Aliyev also pledged support for China's efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and in combating terrorism, adding that Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with China in major international and regional issues.

He also welcomed China to participate in Azerbaijan's agricultural, manufacturing and oil and gas development.