Deputy FM: Russia, Azerbaijan close to completing negotiations on Gabala radar station

Russia and Azerbaijan are close to completing negotiations on the lease of the radar station in Gabala, RIA Novosti quotes Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Tuesday, as saying at a press briefing. "We are closer to completing them (the negotiations) than before," Ryabkov said. "Although there are certain moments related to the certain lease amount and terms, we achieved some progress in the negotiations (with Azerbaijan) on the Gabala radar station," he said. As Ryabkov said, Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry of Russia consider negotiations with Azerbaijan on the Gabala radar station as today's priority. The Gabala RS was built in Soviet times as one of the most important elements of a missile defense system of the USSR. After Azerbaijan gained independence, the radar station become the country's property and Russia continued to use the station. A ten-year agreement to lease the station was signed in 2002. It will expire on Dec.24, 2012.