Today.Az » Politics » MP: Azerbaijan not to allow Gabala radar station to be used against interests of allies
18 August 2011 [08:45] - Today.Az
Azerbaijan has never allowed and will never allow its property - the Gabala radar station - to be used on contrary to the interests of neighboring states, especially allies, deputy chairman of Azerbaijan's parliamentary committee on security and defense, MP Aydin Mirzazade said in an interview with the website of ruling New Azerbaijan Party. He said as the contract on the Gabala radar station expires next year, the sides are reviewing its terms.
Given the major changes in the price and situation, the Azerbaijani side has made proposals concerning the increase of prices and several issues, said Mirzazade. Russia is currently discussing the proposals, said Mirzazade. "At the same time, the Russian side has proposed to modernize the Gabala radar station. Azerbaijan, as a property owner, is considering the proposal, after which a decision will be made," said Mirzazade.
He said the use of the Gabala radar station is an indicator of relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia, and the parties are able to further develop these relations.
Mirzazade called frivolous the views of several experts about the possibility of using the Gabala radar as means of putting pressure on Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.
Mirzazade, who considers it wrong to link the issue of Gabala radar station with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said this conflict is a multi-aspect, deep question of the international level.
"Expecting the settlement of the conflict, using the issue of a small station, would be naive. Azerbaijan's position on the conflict settlement is clear. Azerbaijan expresses its principled position at all the meetings and we are satisfied that Russia accepts our position. From this point of view, Azerbaijan is trying to solve any issues in accordance with its interests and the interests of the region. Undoubtedly, these factors will be taken into account in the new contract on the Gabala radar station," said Mirzazade.
The Gabala radar station is a part of the Russian system of missile warning. It is located not far from the city of Gabala in Azerbaijan. The station used to be the USSR's major element of anti-missile defense. As Azerbaijan gained independence, the station became its property, and Russia has been renting it. The agreement stated the station's status as an information-analytical centre which is property of Azerbaijan and which is being rented by Russia for the term of ten years till 2012 with an option of extension. The rent term expires in December, 2012. Russia has been using the station to control the air and space in the southern direction and to warn about possible launches of ballistic missiles, including from countries like Iran, Pakistan and India.
/Trend/
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