Iraqi PM: Iraq may soon purchase Czech L-159 aircraft

Baghdad, May 23 (CTK) - Iraq and the 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 Monday.

Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra told journalists after the talks that the Iraqi air force has already decided to buy the L-159 planes, but that concrete political negotiations about the contract have not yet been completed.

Necas Monday invited Maliki to an official visit to Prague.

Vondra also confirmed Monday the unofficial information that Iraq is interested in 24 aircraft.

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 redundant aircraft for long.

Necas said the talks on the planes supply were "intensive" Monday.

Vondra said the Czech Republic can also offer other things to Iraq, including the upgrading of armament systems, such as T-72 tanks and Mi-17 helicopters, or the training of personnel.

"It will eventually be a political decision. The prime minister's words were quite clear. There is interest on the lower level and there is some political will on the upper level," Vondra said.

The negotiations in Baghdad are to continue on Tuesday.

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 Monday.

"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 Monday.

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."