Azernews.Az

The state commissions of Azerbaijan and Russia continue working to close the Gabala radar station. The parties have reached an agreement on all issues, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov told reporters.

According to Khalafov, all documents have been signed.

"We conducted an inventory of the property belonging to Russia. All the arrangements for transportation of the property are resolved and the process is currently on-going. A major part of the property has already been shipped to Russia. There is a small portion remaining and work in this direction is undertaken in accordance with the specific schedule. All the conditions for transportation of the contingent and their property have been created," the deputy minister said.

The agreement on the status, principles and operating conditions of the Gabala radar station between the governments of Azerbaijan and Russia expired on December 9, 2012, with the latter sending a note halting the operation of the radar station on December 10.

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 became the country's property and Russia continued to use it.