Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Agayeva / The issue on the joint use of the Gabala radar station (RS) between Russia and the United States was a topic of discussion at the forthcoming meeting of the defense minister of the NATO member-countries.
In a summit of G 8 the Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the United States to join the joint use of the Gabala Radar Station, leased by Russia in Azerbaijan, in exchange for the deployment of anti-missile systems in Europe. Washington commented on Russia's proposal frostily, calling it interesting. Putin has recently discussed the idea with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.
" Russia has appealed Azerbaijan, informing that they want to initiate either the joint use, or share of information with the United States," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov stressed. Azerbaijan's policy has always been based on the national interests." The format and date of talks and achievement of any agreement have not yet been defined.
"We want Azerbaijan not to be apart from the talks, because the RS is located its territory and no action can be taken without Azerbaijan's permission. We will participate in the selection of a form of co-operation between Russia and the United States on the RS," the Azerbaijani minister empathized.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's permanent representation at NATO announced that Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Safar Abiyev, is planned to participate in a meeting scheduled for 13-14 June.
The program of the visit is currently under development.