Today.Az » Politics » Azerbaijani deputy FM comments on possibility of deploying U.S. missile shield in Azerbaijan
19 September 2009 [10:47] - Today.Az
“The United States has not yet appealed to Azerbaijan about deployment of missile defense system in country’s territory,” Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said during a speech at a conference on U.S.-Azerbaijan strategic cooperation at the Georgetown University on Sept. 18.
He said he "did not debate this matter"during trip to the U.S.
Azimov said "deployment of missile shield and cooperation with the U.S. on missile defense are different things."
He also noted "the principled position of Azerbaijan on non-deployment of foreign military bases in its territory" adding that such a prospect "is not consistent with fundamental tenets of our foreign policy."
The deputy minister reminded that the "radar in Gabala, which is referred to during the debates on missile defense, is the property of Azerbaijan and on the basis of the contract is leased by Russia until 2012".
"The question of cooperation in missile defense could conceivably be considered in the context of use of the radar in Gabala. Azerbaijan as its owner would welcome the opportunity of partnership with Russia and the United States. We are not against such cooperation in the context of security and development of missile defenses in Azerbaijan,” Azimov said.
He said "it will coincide with the general line of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy on non-confrontational approach to cooperation between the United States, Russia and the countries of the region."
"If there is possibility of such a development of relationship, it will be considered,” he said.
He also noted that "the data that the radar station in Gabala obtains can be used to exchange information with the Americans in future."
/Vzqlyad/
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