Azerbaijan: Ballistic Missile Defence

Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is in response to President Putin's suggestion at the G8 summit that a ballistic missile defence system could be based in Azerbaijan.

Mr. Hoon
President Putin's offer to include the radar at Qabala in Azerbaijan in the US ballistic missile system is a policy issue for the United States government and is subject to the agreement of the government of Azerbaijan. The UK, however, welcomes this constructive Russian approach; and welcomes the US's continuing commitment to discuss with Russia its co-operation in their ballistic missile system.