Czech Rep offers Iraq L-159 aircraft, modernization of helicopters

18.04.2011

Prague - Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas will offer Iraq subsonic L-159 assault planes and the upgrading of helicopters during his visit to Iraq in May, Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said after a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari today.

Schwarzenberg said the Czech Republic is also interested in closer economic cooperation with Iraq. It would like to participate in the modernization of Iraqi oil mining equipment.

That is why Necas is to be accompanied on his trip to Iraq by the industry and trade minister.

Schwarzenberg and Zebari also spoke today about the situation in Arab countries where protests against the ruling regimes have been held in the past months.

Necas is to go to Iraq on May 23-24 and sign there an agreement on mutual protection of investments.

The Defense Ministry announced in January that it wants to sell this year 36 subsonic L-159 ALCAs that the Czech military does not need.

Defense Minister Alexandr Vondra said previously Iraq is one of the countries with which the Czech Republic is discussing the sale.

Source: www.ceskenoviny.cz.
Link: http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czechrep-offers-iraq-l-159-aircraft-modernisation-of-helicopters/625280.