In a move signaling strengthened ties between Asia and the Caucasus region, China and Azerbaijan announced the establishment of a strategic partnership on Wednesday. The joint statement marks a significant milestone since the two nations established diplomatic relations on April 2, 1992.
Over the past three decades, cooperation between China and Azerbaijan has flourished across various fields, yielding fruitful results. Amidst the profound and complex evolution of the international and regional landscape, both countries have agreed to expand their collaboration in political, economic, cultural, and other domains.
The joint statement emphasizes mutual respect, equality, trust, and support as foundational principles of this strategic partnership. Both nations reiterated their support for each other’s national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, underlining the importance of non-interference in internal affairs.
Highlighting global security concerns, China and Azerbaijan stressed that terrorism, separatism, and extremism pose serious threats to the international community. They called for joint efforts to prevent and counter these challenges, demonstrating a shared commitment to regional and global stability.
Azerbaijan expressed its support for China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. The country is willing to actively participate in cooperation under these frameworks, aiming to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and jointly safeguard international and regional security and stability.
In a move to foster closer ties, Azerbaijan announced a one-year unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese nationals. This decision is expected to boost tourism and further expand economic, people-to-people, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The establishment of this strategic partnership reflects a mutual desire to enhance bilateral relations and collaborate on issues of global importance. As China and Azerbaijan deepen their cooperation, their joint efforts are poised to contribute significantly to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
