Iraqi and Czech Republic sign agreement on business cooperation

Iraq and the Czech Republic on Thursday signed an agreement on business cooperation. It is the first such agreement between the two countries since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, who is heading a government delegation to Prague, said after talks with the Czech prime minister that Iraq was still interested in the purchase of Czech L-159 fighter jets for the army. The sales transaction is to be debated at a meeting between the two countries defence ministers on Friday. The Czech Republic has moreover expressed interest in investing in Iraqi infrastructure, agriculture and the oil industry.