China is willing to link the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Moldova and Azerbaijan’s development strategies, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sept 19 when meeting with his Moldova’s counterpart Tudor Ulianovschi and Azerbaijan’s counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov.

Wang noted China regards Moldova as an important cooperation partner and will follow the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration to enhance cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

He urged the two sides to conclude the FTA negotiations as soon as possible and expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen cultural exchanges and also enhance the level of personnel exchanges.

Ulianovschi said Moldova firmly supports the one-China policy and will actively participate in the Belt and Road construction.

Moldova is also willing to actively participate in the 16+1 cooperation and explore third-party cooperation, he added.

Wang expressed China’s support for Azerbaijan’s succession to the rotating chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement next year.

China is also willing to work together with Azerbaijan to safeguard the interests of developing countries and international justice and to promote the interconnection between Asia and Europe, he added.

The foreign minister also said both sides should enhance cultural exchanges and strengthen security cooperation to create a favorable environment for respective development.

While Mammadyarov praised the wisdom of China’s proposed BRI and said Azerbaijan is willing to strengthen coordination with China in multilateral situations.