Beijing's preparations for the Olympic Games have been outstanding and China is capable of creating all necessary conditions for a successful sports event, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan told Xinhua in a recent interview.

China has a rich experience in hosting international sports events, said Aliyev, who is full of expectations for the upcoming Games and hopes to witness a milestone in the history of the Olympics.

"The Olympics are not only sports events, but also of vital importance to shorten distance and develop friendly cooperative relationship between different peoples," he said.

The Azerbaijani leader expressed his belief that the Beijing Olympic Games will contribute to the further consolidation of the Olympic spirit, as well as the better implementation of Olympic goals.

Aliyev is confident about the success of the Azerbaijani and Chinese Olympic teams. While appreciating China's great achievements in sports and other fields, he said his country has also fared well in sports events since gaining independence in 1991.

"I wish the two national teams great success," he said.

Aliyev, who also chairs the Azerbaijani Olympic Committee, is an avid sports fan. He believes that "the purpose of sports is to facilitate both physical and psychological health."

On Sino-Azerbaijani relations, Aliyev said interactions between the two peoples have a long history, noting that the ancient trade route or "silk road" originated from China, traversed Azerbaijan and extended to the Black Sea, before finally reaching Europe.

Bilateral relations developed rapidly since 1991, he said. President Aliyev believes that bilateral cooperation in politics, economy and culture will boost the friendship between the two countries and their peoples.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)