Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Aghayeva / The United States has not agreed yet to hold trilateral consultations among Russia-US-Azerbaijan in Baku on 15 September regarding exploitation of Gabala radar station, a representative of US Embassy in Azerbaijan, Jonathan Henick, said on 1 September.
"We expect joint work among three countries - Azerbaijan, Russia, and the Unites States to take place in Baku on 15 September. This work will show how the situation on joint exploitation of Gabala radar station and on use of anti-missile defence system will develop," Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Sergei Naryshkin, said in Baku on 31 August. The issue was discussed during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Naryshkin added.
According to Henick, US will consider and coordinate the date of consultations.
Azerbaijani side also agreed to hold the meeting on 15 September. The issue was discussed at yesterday's consultations between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Georgiy Karasin.
Gabala Radar Station situated in the north-west of Azerbaijan was built while the USSR as an important element of the USSR AMD. The 10-year agreement on leasing of the station was signed in 2002. Annual rent charges make up $14mln.
In June Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the US joint exploitation of Gabala radar station, as well as advance warning radar base being constructed in Armavir. The offer was intended to make the US refuse from its intentions to place missile shield elements in Poland and the Check Republic. But the US rejected the offer stating its intention to implement its plans in East Europe.
Last week the commander of Russian Space Forces, Vladimir Popovkin, stated that Russia was going to stop exploitation of foreign radar stations (radar stations in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus). He considers it a mistake from military and political standpoint to exploit foreign radar stations. According to Popovkin, in case of any conflict, these radar stations can be used as a source of impact on Russia.
The head of the Foreign Relations Department of Azerbaijani President's Administration, Novruz Mammadov, said earlier that Azerbaijan would lose nothing if Russia rejected exploitation of Gabala radar station. "If Russia stops exploitation of Gabala radar station Azerbaijan shall be informed six months beforehand," he said.