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May 23, 2011
Iraq may soon purchase Czech L-159 aircraft - Iraqi PM
Baghdad - Iraq and Czech Republic might soon complete the project of the purchase of Czech L-159 aircraft for the Iraqi armed forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said after a meeting with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas today.
Maliki recalled that the delegation accompanying Necas in Iraq includes Defence Minister Vondra (both senior government Civic Democrats, ODS), and therefore concrete talks on the aircraft supply could continue immediately.
Necas today invited Maliki to an official visit to Prague.
According to unofficial information, the Czech Republic is negotiating with Iraq about a supply of its redundant L-159 subsonic combat planes.
Certain agreements in this respect were reached last year but the final contract has not been signed yet.
The Czech Republic has been trying to sell the aircraft for long.
Necas called the talks on the planes supply "intensive" today.
Nevertheless, the Czech Republic can also offer other possibilities to the Iraqi defence sector, for instance, the upgrading of armament systems and training of personnel, he added.
Apart from bilateral cooperation in defence, the Czech delegation is interested in the development of industrial cooperation.
Other supplies of Czech-made Zetor tractors that have a good tradition in Iraq are to be agreed on. In the past they were assembled under Antar trademark on the basis of a licence in Iskandariya, Iraq.
The Czech Republic is prepared to participate in the renewal of the assembly line for Antar tractors including the production of some components, Maliki said today.
"We want to follow up these projects. We are immensely interested in the cooperation," Necas pointed out.
Last year Zetor supplied 100 tractors to Iraq but the local market would need tens of such machines, according to estimates.
The Zetor company has a high chance to succeed in Iraq, said Confederation of Industry President Jaroslav Hanak.
The trip to Baghdad has been Necas's first visit to a non-European country since he became prime minister last July.
Iraqi representatives appreciated Necas's gesture.
Necas recalled that both countries had established diplomatic relations 77 years ago.
There is no doubt that Iraq has very good, traditional relations with the Czech Republic, Maliki told reporters in his strictly protected residence in the centre of Baghdad.
He recalled that the Czech Republic had remitted 80 percent of Iraq´s debt.
Necas said Czech and Iraqi ministers should lead intensive talks and prepare respective contracts, for instance, on bilateral protection and support of investments, but also on concrete areas of economic cooperation.
Czech government representatives signed memoranda of understanding and cooperation between the Czech and Iraqi defence and industry and trade ministries in Baghdad today.
Industry and Trade Minister Martin Kocourek (ODS) attended the opening of a Czech-Iraqi business forum.
"Over 100 Iraqi businessmen are present, along with more than than 30 Czech businessmen and institutions. This raises hope for a successful mission," Kocourek told reporters.
Czechs are interested in cooperating with Iraq in energy and aviation industry, transport means as well as water management.
"We are prepared to support concrete submitted projects," Kocourek added.
Czech exports to Iraq now amount to some $140 million, but Iraqi exports to the Czech Republic is marginal, Kocourek said.
The delegation of Czech businessmen accompanying Necas includes Aero Vodochody aircraft-producer president Ladislav Simek, Ceska Zbrojovka armament producer CEO Lubomir Kovarik and former PM Mirek Topolanek (in office 2006-2009), chairman of the VAE Controls board.
According to Necas, Topolanek represents "a significant Czech company that is interested in offering its services and exporting its goods to Iraq."
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Iraq may soon purchase Czech L-159 aircraft - Iraqi PM
Baghdad - Iraq and Czech Republic might soon complete the project of the purchase of Czech L-159 aircraft for the Iraqi armed forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said after a meeting with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas today.
Maliki recalled that the delegation accompanying Necas in Iraq includes Defence Minister Vondra (both senior government Civic Democrats, ODS), and therefore concrete talks on the aircraft supply could continue immediately.
Necas today invited Maliki to an official visit to Prague.
According to unofficial information, the Czech Republic is negotiating with Iraq about a supply of its redundant L-159 subsonic combat planes.
Certain agreements in this respect were reached last year but the final contract has not been signed yet.
The Czech Republic has been trying to sell the aircraft for long.
Necas called the talks on the planes supply "intensive" today.
Nevertheless, the Czech Republic can also offer other possibilities to the Iraqi defence sector, for instance, the upgrading of armament systems and training of personnel, he added.
Apart from bilateral cooperation in defence, the Czech delegation is interested in the development of industrial cooperation.
Other supplies of Czech-made Zetor tractors that have a good tradition in Iraq are to be agreed on. In the past they were assembled under Antar trademark on the basis of a licence in Iskandariya, Iraq.
The Czech Republic is prepared to participate in the renewal of the assembly line for Antar tractors including the production of some components, Maliki said today.
"We want to follow up these projects. We are immensely interested in the cooperation," Necas pointed out.
Last year Zetor supplied 100 tractors to Iraq but the local market would need tens of such machines, according to estimates.
The Zetor company has a high chance to succeed in Iraq, said Confederation of Industry President Jaroslav Hanak.
The trip to Baghdad has been Necas's first visit to a non-European country since he became prime minister last July.
Iraqi representatives appreciated Necas's gesture.
Necas recalled that both countries had established diplomatic relations 77 years ago.
There is no doubt that Iraq has very good, traditional relations with the Czech Republic, Maliki told reporters in his strictly protected residence in the centre of Baghdad.
He recalled that the Czech Republic had remitted 80 percent of Iraq´s debt.
Necas said Czech and Iraqi ministers should lead intensive talks and prepare respective contracts, for instance, on bilateral protection and support of investments, but also on concrete areas of economic cooperation.
Czech government representatives signed memoranda of understanding and cooperation between the Czech and Iraqi defence and industry and trade ministries in Baghdad today.
Industry and Trade Minister Martin Kocourek (ODS) attended the opening of a Czech-Iraqi business forum.
"Over 100 Iraqi businessmen are present, along with more than than 30 Czech businessmen and institutions. This raises hope for a successful mission," Kocourek told reporters.
Czechs are interested in cooperating with Iraq in energy and aviation industry, transport means as well as water management.
"We are prepared to support concrete submitted projects," Kocourek added.
Czech exports to Iraq now amount to some $140 million, but Iraqi exports to the Czech Republic is marginal, Kocourek said.
The delegation of Czech businessmen accompanying Necas includes Aero Vodochody aircraft-producer president Ladislav Simek, Ceska Zbrojovka armament producer CEO Lubomir Kovarik and former PM Mirek Topolanek (in office 2006-2009), chairman of the VAE Controls board.
According to Necas, Topolanek represents "a significant Czech company that is interested in offering its services and exporting its goods to Iraq."
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