Azerbaijan, Baku, April 4 /Trend M.Aliyev/
Azerbaijan decides on to whom and on what terms to lease the Gabala radio station, taking into account the interests of the state, the Head of Department on Social Political Issues of Presidential Administration of the country Ali Hasanov told journalists on Wednesday.
"Gabala radar station is our property. We decide on to whom and on what terms to lease it, taking into account the interests of the state. We take into consideration its cost, policy and its impact on relations with neighboring countries" Hasanov said.
Earlier, Prime Minister of Armenia said that in the case if Azerbaijan and Russia fail to reach agreement on Gabala radar station, Armenia, may permit the construction of a Russian radar station on its territory.
"We do not have anything against that. Of course, why the Armenian outpost cannot be a radar post as well? If Russia needs to build this post in Armenia, we will not have any objections" he said.
Hasanov noted that Azerbaijan is responsible for the stations on its territory, including military stations, and determines country's policy accordingly.
The Gabala radar station located in north-western Azerbaijan was built in Soviet times as one of the most important elements of a missile defence system of the USSR. After Azerbaijan gained independence the radar station become the country's property, 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 term of the lease agreement and exploitation conditions of this facility expires in December, 2012.
Earlier, General Director of Academician A.L. Mints Radio Engineering Institute Vladimir Savchenko talking to RIA Novosti said that Russia plans to complete the construction of a new radar station Voronezh-VP in Gabala, Azerbaijan in 2019.
According to Savchenko, this new station will replace "Daryal" - a radar station of previous generation.