Russia to prolong radar station rent agreement

Russia is likely to prolong the agreement on renting the Gabala radar station (Azerbaijan) for additional three years.

Citing a source close to the process, RIA Novosti reports that the financial agreements will remain unchanged in the above period.

A source close to Russia’s Ministry of Defense had earlier said that the agency is disappointed with Azerbaijan’s non-constructive approach to the negotiations over extending the agreement terms. The media outlets reported early in spring that Baku calls for increasing the annual rent from $7 million to $300 million.

“The discussion now goes around prolonging the agreement for 2-3 years in accordance with the existing criteria, including the financial ones,” the source was quoted as telling the agency.

The agreement for renting the Gabala radar expires at the end of 2012.