Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend S.Agayeva / The Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan, Vasily Istratov, said at a press conference on 15 May that Russia may consider the issue of jointly using Gabala Radio Radar Station with the USA.
" USA has repeatedly demonstrated its interest in receiving information from these and other radar stations owned by Russia, including Gabala station leased by Russia in Azerbaijan," the Ambassador said. With regards to the firm response from Russia, the diplomat said that everything depends upon the proposal by USA. At present the Ambassador believes that it is possible to come to an agreement.
Russia leases Gabala Radio Radar Station in Azerbaijan. The station is part of the Russian system tracking movement of the ballistic missiles. The station had been constructed during the power of 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 offered to use it. A ten-year agreement to rent the station was signed only in 2002. At the end of 2004 the Ministry of Ecology