Azerbaijani president: Joint ventures with China already underway

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the rapid deepening of Azerbaijan–China relations, stating that the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership has given a strong impetus to economic, political, and military-technical cooperation.

“The signing of two documents between Azerbaijan and China - first on strategic partnership, and later on comprehensive strategic partnership - within one year has given a significant boost to bilateral economic relations,” President Ilham Aliyev said during an interview with local television channels on January 5, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

According to the head of state, bilateral trade turnover has already exceeded $4 billion, while Chinese companies have begun actively investing in key sectors of Azerbaijan’s economy, including renewable energy and transportation.

President Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan has become a priority partner for China in the region and that cooperation has expanded beyond economics into the military-technical sphere.

Stating that Azerbaijan is a priority partner for China in this region, the head of state noted that military-technical cooperation has begun within the framework of the political agreements reached. “Part of this cooperation was demonstrated at the military parade, but this is only the beginning. We see great mutual interest in this matter. In addition, not limiting ourselves to acquiring military equipment, we are working on establishing joint ventures, and work in this area has already begun,” President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.

The Azerbaijani leader also described the comprehensive strategic partnership with China as one of the most significant diplomatic achievements of recent years.

“I believe that one of the events of great importance is our strategic partnership with China. Last year, during my state visit to China, a Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed, and this can also be considered a great success,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said.

Emphasising China’s global role, President Aliyev underlined that this political framework serves as evidence of Azerbaijan’s successful and balanced diplomacy.

President Ilham Aliyev also focused on Azerbaijan’s growing role in regional and global connectivity, particularly in linking Central Asia with Western markets.

“Today, the Central Asia-Azerbaijan unity and the transformation of the C5 into C6 carry great importance not only for our region but for the world. Because connectivity, transport, and logistics are of major significance for many leading international actors, and in this regard, the only reliable country geographically capable of linking Central Asia with the West is Azerbaijan,” he said.

While acknowledging the existence of alternative routes, the head of state stressed that current geopolitical realities make Azerbaijan’s role indispensable.

“Of course, from a geographical point of view, other routes can also be used. However, taking into account the current geopolitical situation, we can say with complete certainty that alternative routes for the West cannot be considered acceptable. Therefore, our role as a living bridge and a reliable partner, as a country that can already implement large projects, will naturally increase, and we are already seeing the fruition of this in practice,” the Azerbaijani President emphasized.

President Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan’s accession to the D-8 Organisation as a major foreign policy success.

“I consider our membership in the D-8 organization to be a very great achievement. Because this organization has been there for almost 30 years and has not accepted a new member ever since its inception,” he said.

Emphasising that Azerbaijan is the only new member of the organisation, which unites some of the largest countries of the Muslim world, the head of state pointed to the broader significance of this step.

“Suffice it to say that the total population of the countries united in this organization exceeds one billion people, and their total economy is in excess of four trillion. Azerbaijan cannot be considered a large country in terms of population or economy. Our official participation there is, of course, a sign of respect for us and the result of our independent policy. And we began active work there immediately,” President Ilham Aliyev concluded.

By Vugar Khalilov