Talks between Russia and Azerbaijan to extend lease of radar station in Gabala are constructive, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told Interfax-MNA on Wednesday.
"Negotiations on the Gabala radar station are underway. The first round of negotiations was very constructive. In the near future we will decide with our Azerbaijani colleagues when the Russian delegation will leave for continuing negotiations in Azerbaijan," Antonov said.
He was commenting media reports that talks between Russia and Azerbaijan on the Gabala radar station are at an impasse because of Baku's conditions to raise the rent for the radar station from $7 million per year to $300 million.
The Gabala radar station located in northwestern 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 become the country's property and Russia continued to use it.
Previously, the Defence Ministry reported about holding negotiations with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the Gabala radar station until 2025. The terms of the lease agreement and exploitation conditions of this facility expire in December, 2012.