Azernews.Az

Russia's turning down the use of the Gabala radar station and the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline will not affect the state of relations between the two countries, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu said.

"Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan continue to develop steadily. Russia's refusal to use the Gabala radar station and the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline will not affect the state of relations between the two countries. Russia's refusal of the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline is the economic aspect of bilateral relations," the ambassador told reporters on May 30.

The agreement on the status 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, which is located in the north-western part of Azerbaijan, was built during the Soviet era as an important component of the USSR's missile defense system. After Azerbaijan gained independence, Russia continued to use the station.

Previously, Russian Defence Ministry reported that it was holding negotiations with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the Gabala radar station until 2025.

Earlier, Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree to terminate an agreement with Azerbaijan on the transit of Azerbaijani oil via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline.

SOCAR carries transshipments of oil from its own fields as well as oil of joint ventures and operating companies operating onshore in Azerbaijan through Novorossiysk.

In 2012, SOCAR exported 2.06 million tons of oil via the northern Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline compared to 1.99 million tons in 2011.