Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec 12 / Trend S. Agayeva /
The Azerbaijani government will create a commission to remove equipment from the Gabala radar station in the near future, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at a briefing on Wednesday.
He added that the third party is unlikely to use the radar station in Gabala.
The Russian side has delivered a note halting the exploitation of the radar station as of December 10, 2012 in connection with the expiration of the "Agreement on the status, exploitation principles and conditions of the Gabala radar station between the Azerbaijani and Russian Governments" on Dec. 9, 2012.
The Gabala radar station located in north-west Azerbaijan was built during the Soviet period as one of the most important elements of the USSR's missile defense system. After Azerbaijan gained independence, the radar station became the country's property and Russia continued to use it.
Previously, the defense ministry reported that it was holding negotiations with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the Gabala radar station until 2025.