Presidential aide: Azerbaijan very pleased with China in field of global green transformation

In recent years, the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor in transportation in Eurasia has sharply increased. Azerbaijan, located at the intersection of transport routes in the North-South and East-West directions, is holding numerous events in this regard. As a result of work in the field of expanding sea trade ports, increasing the number of ships built, modernizing railways, and the steady growth in the volume of sea and land cargo transportation, Azerbaijan is becoming an important transport and logistics centre in the South Caucasus.

As AZERTAC reports, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said this in an interview with the Chinese Phoenix TV channel.

Recalling that Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the “One Belt, One Road” initiative put forward by the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, the presidential assistant noted that this project had a positive impact on the general welfare of the countries located along the route and strengthened cooperation between them, and also promoted dialogue between civilizations, thanks to which the international community was able to benefit from the heritage of ancient Chinese civilization.

“We see this project as a collaboration, a partnership that can bring prosperity to the countries along the route. Azerbaijan, which is located between the Caspian and Black Seas, is a natural hub connecting Central Asia and Europe,” Hajiyev said.

Noting that recently a train heading from the Chinese city of Xi'an through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea reached Azerbaijan in just 11 days, the presidential assistant emphasized that this route has once again proven that it is very important, competitive and profitable in terms of transport. Moreover, this route is safe and reliable.

“We are working hard with our Chinese friends to further improve the efficiency and competitiveness of this trade route,” he added.

Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan is simultaneously making efforts to increase the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, since goods are transported not only from East to West, but also vice versa. European companies and trade organizations will be able to use this route to enter the markets of China and Central Asia.

It was noted that along with the East-West route, Azerbaijan is developing the North-South route. And thus, Azerbaijan is recognized as a transport and logistics centre on the Eurasian continent.

Noting that in recent years Azerbaijan has been paying attention to the development of the non-oil economy and strives to diversify the economy, the presidential assistant drew attention to the creation of solar power plants in our country. He said that this is an important stage in cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the field of green energy.

In the interview, the topic of holding COP29 this year in Azerbaijan was touched upon, and it was noted that the issue of climate finance, raised and unresolved at the last conference, will become the main topic at the conference in Baku.

At the same time, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan, which is the guarantor of European energy security, exports oil and natural gas to European countries.

It was noted that there is close cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the energy sector, and Chinese companies are participating in oil and natural gas projects.

It was emphasized that due to the priority of the green transition for Azerbaijan, Chinese companies are good partners in the process of diversifying the economy of our country.

It was noted that Azerbaijan is very pleased with China's leadership in the field of global green transformation. Moreover, China has actually proven the green transition is possible. “The transition to green energy is one of our priorities. We look forward to actively working with our Chinese friends at COP29 and beyond,” Hajiyev said.

The presidential aide noted that hosting COP29 will demonstrate that Azerbaijan, as a country with fossil fuel resources, will show determination, and at the same time diplomatic and political courage: “It also demonstrates our strong and firm will. Azerbaijan has shown that we are committed, along with hydrocarbon resources, we also want to be supporters of green energy and are ready to contribute to this concept.”

It was also noted that China and Azerbaijan always closely cooperate in the international arena, strongly support multilateral cooperation and defend the interests of developing countries.