Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend K.Ramazanova / Gabala Radar Station can not be an alternative to the missile defense system in Czech Republic, said the Deputy Foreign Minister of Czech Republic, Tomas Polar.
The initiative to establish missile defense system in the Country was made by the USA.
On 7 June, as a result of the meeting with US President George Bush, within the G-8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, highlighted his proposal to jointly use the Russian-leased Azerbaijan Gabala Radar Station with the US. The system will be in maximum proximity to the object being tracked and observed.
Russia is currently leasing the Gabala Radar Station in Azerbaijan. The station is part of the Russian system in tracking the movement of ballistic missiles. The station was constructed during the rule of the former Soviet Union as one of the significant elements of the anti-missile system of the USSR. After Azerbaijan regained its independence and owned the station, Russia requested to use it. A ten-year agreement to rent the station was signed in 2002.
"Such radar in Azerbaijan or South Caucasus is very effective for security," the Deputy Minister said. However, he considers it wrong to compare Gabala Radar Station with missile defense system in Czech Republic.
Polar said that the goal of Europe and the USA is to ensure effective security of the countries. "Czechia does not object to jointly use Gabala Radar Station. Just opposite, it may be used in the as part of missile defense system," he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the issue of placing missile defense system in Czech Republic is under talks. "The talks will continue for several months and if an agreement is reached, we will discuss it at the level of parliament," the Deputy Minister said.