Top official: Cessation of Gabala radar station not to affect relations with Russia

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 10 / Trend M. Aliyev /

Baku believes that cessation of the Gabala radar station's operation will not affect the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.

Since gaining independence Azerbaijan has been cooperating with Russia in all spheres, as a neighboring and friendly country, and significant successes has been gained, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov told Trend on Monday.

"This cooperation continues today," Mammadov said.

"The negotiations on Gabala radar station have been conducted for the past several months," he noted. "Our goal is to raise the cooperation on the station to the level of current requirements. We are cooperating with Russia within conditions existing in the world, and want to continue cooperation with Russia in line with these conditions. That is, to raise the rent for the radar station to the level of international requirements."

Mammadov added that the territory of the station is very large and a lot of people work there.

"This is not an ordinary facility, and it is important for Russia. At the same time, considering good, friendly, neighborly relations, and cooperation with Russia for so many years, we gave the station for leasing at a symbolic price. Our current conditions have been formulated within the new requirements, and we held negotiations within these requirements," he said.

Mammadov noted that the latest decision of the Russian side made it clear that Russia is unwilling to continue leasing the station on these terms, and wants to keep it in the previous form.

"This is unacceptable for us," Mammadov said.

He noted that Azerbaijan does not have any problems in bilateral cooperation and demonstrated it till the end of negotiation process.

"After comprehensive examination and analysis of this issue, Azerbaijan will make a decision in the required form," he said. "We do not consider this a big problem. We have said that this is a very big tourism zone. There was a very large area, which is very expedient for agriculture, as well as for tourism, and Gabala is attractive for many people. Big international events, festivals are held there. Most of the members of the diplomatic corps rest there on weekends. Work in this direction is underway, and I believe that Gabala will remain a very beautiful place for rest and tourism. There are opportunities for that there now."

Mammadov underscored that despite all this, Azerbaijan did everything possible in relations and negotiations with Russia to resolve the issue of leasing of the Gabala radar station.

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.