Jan Lipavsky, the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, will embark on a diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia and Iraq next week, accompanied by representatives from 15 Czech industrial companies. The visit, scheduled from May 23 to May 25, aims to strengthen bilateral relations, discuss political and security developments in the Middle East region, and explore business opportunities in the oil and processing industry.

During his three-day visit, Minister Lipavsky will hold meetings with high-ranking officials from both countries to foster closer ties and discuss areas of mutual interest. The discussions will focus on various aspects, including political cooperation, security collaboration, and economic partnerships. Furthermore, the minister will engage in talks with representatives of allied military missions in Iraq, where Czech experts are currently deployed.

In Saudi Arabia, Minister Lipavsky is scheduled to participate in a working meeting to address the human rights situation in the country. This demonstrates the Czech Republic’s commitment to promoting human rights and engaging in constructive dialogues on such important matters.

To support the participation of Czech industries in the development plans of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, one-day business forums will be organized during the visit. Minister Lipavsky will inaugurate these forums, providing Czech companies with opportunities to establish partnerships, explore investment prospects, and showcase their expertise in various sectors. Given that oil and its processing constitute key industries in both Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Czech industrial companies are expected to play a significant role in contributing to their development plans.

The Czech Republic has a history of strong trade relations with Saudi Arabia, with trade reaching close to 10 billion crowns in 2021. The country has consistently enjoyed a trade surplus with Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, while imports from Iraq to the Czech Republic have been historically minimal, exports have surpassed 1 billion crowns annually. These figures highlight the potential for further economic cooperation and trade expansion between the Czech Republic and Iraq.

This upcoming visit follows the successful second meeting of the Czech-Saudi Joint Commission in Riyadh last November, where representatives from several Czech ministries participated. The discussions during that meeting centered around cooperation in tourism and energy, trade and investment promotion, and strengthening bilateral ties. Notably, the Aero Vodochody company’s recent overhaul of 12 L-159 aircraft for Iraq underscores the Czech Republic’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s military capabilities.

Minister Lipavsky’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Iraq signifies the Czech Republic’s dedication to fostering diplomatic relations, promoting economic cooperation, and engaging in constructive dialogues on important regional issues. It serves as an opportunity for Czech industrial companies to showcase their capabilities and explore business prospects, while also reinforcing the longstanding ties between the nations.