Azerbaijan, China sign document on provision of military assistance

Beijing, April 28, AZERTAC Azerbaijan and China have signed a document on provision of military assistance as the two countries` defense ministers met in Beijing. Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe mentioned that despite the fact that China and Azerbaijan are located geographically distant from each other, the two countries enjoy historically longstanding friendly relations between its peoples. He emphasized the important role of the historical Silk Road in terms of establishment of these ties. Fenghe pointed out Azerbaijan's support to China's "One Belt One Road" initiative and hailed the cooperation between the two countries within the framework of this strategy. He said that there is a great potential for cooperation in the military sphere. The Chinese defense minister noted that his country's position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged, adding that China always supports the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said that comprehensive cooperation with China is one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Speaking about the military-political situation in the region, Hasanov said that Armenia`s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, which has lasted for more than 25 years poses a serious threat to peace and security not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire region. Hasanov thanked China for supporting Azerbaijan`s fair stance on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.