Issue of Gabala RS lease to be solved by year end

The issue of the lease extension of the Gabala radar station to Russia will be resolved before the end of 2012, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at a press conference with OSCE Chairman in Baku.

"It is still early to talk about the results of the talks as both sides are still holding negotiations," the minister said.

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.


/Trend/