Russia has decided to end its use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reported Dec. 10.

Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turkish troops began an exercise near Ankara to improve security for energy pipelines, RFE/RL reported Sept. 24.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov will visit Armenia from Sept. 18 to Sept. 19 to meet with Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, News.am reported.

Two explosions were reported Sept. 17 in the Azerbaijani city of Sumqayit, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Baku on the Caspian Sea, APA and Xeberler reported. The first explosion was reportedly caused by a fire in a fuel tank at a factory, killing six people and injuring several others. The second blast was reported at a detergent factory, but deaths and injuries have not been reported. Azerbaijan is a significant producer of both oil and natural gas, which mainly come from offshore deposits in the Caspian Sea.

Turkey and Azerbaijan on Sept. 11 signed eight agreements pledging cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation, diplomacy, culture and economy, World Bulletin reported.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina between Sept. 11 and Sept. 15, World Bulletin reported Sept. 10.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Baku on Sept. 6 to hold talks with Azerbaijani leadership on cooperation and regional issues, Trend reported.