Top official: Azerbaijan’s proposals on Gabala radar station correspond to current realities

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 21 / Trend M. Aliyev /

Russia has voiced its position on the Gabala radar station, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Political Analysis and Information Provision Department head Elnur Aslanov told journalists on Thursday.

"I believe the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and relevant organizations will voice their position on this issue," he said.

"Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated its position on the Gabala radar station, and the voiced proposals reflect Azerbaijan's current political and economic development. The voiced figures correspond to today's realities."

Aslanov said that one must not forget that today Azerbaijan is the most developed country in the region, while at the same time, according to the Constitution it is prohibited to deploy foreign military bases in its territory.

"Today, the negotiations on extending the lease of the Gabala radar station continue between Azerbaijan and Russia," he said. "It is necessary to wait for the result."

Azerbaijan supports the discussion of these issues behind closed doors, he added.

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 defence system. After Azerbaijan gained independence the radar station become the country's property and Russia continued to use it.

Previously, the defence ministry reported it was 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.

Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov visited Azerbaijan in late July, 2011, during which he discussed in particular, the issue of extension of a lease term of the Gabala radar station.

Serdyukov told reporters then that "Russia developed its proposals on the further operation of Gabala RS".

A working group dealing with development of technical issues of the further operation of the station was formed in late 2011. It was also reported that Russia intends to complete work on Gabala RS reconstruction within two years.