Iraq and Czechia signed five memoranda of understanding on Thursday, expanding cooperation in oil, transportation, and security, as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani invited Czech companies to invest in Iraq’s energy sector and participate in the Development Road project.

During a joint press conference in Prague, Sudani emphasized Iraq’s commitment to deepening economic and trade relations with Czechia and leveraging Czech expertise across various industries. "Iraq is committed to strengthening trade and economic ties with the Czech Republic, leveraging Czech expertise across various industries," he stated.

Sudani and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala oversaw the signing of the agreements, which cover multiple sectors, particularly oil, transportation, and security. Fiala welcomed the visit, noting its significance in fostering industrial cooperation. "Today, I welcomed Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq. We discussed industrial cooperation in the aviation sector and the possibility of Iraq supplying oil to the Czech Republic in the near future, as well as other topics," Fiala said.

A key point of discussion was the Development Road project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting the Persian Gulf to Turkey. The project seeks to enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position and create thousands of job opportunities. Sudani invited Czech companies to contribute to railway construction, road networks, and industrial cities along the corridor. "Czech companies have been invited to enter the Iraqi market, which plays a significant role in the global energy sector," he added.

Earlier in the day, Sudani met with Czech President Petr Pavel, reaffirming Iraq’s commitment to promoting peace and security through international cooperation. Pavel described the visit as a foundation for stronger bilateral relations and long-term partnerships.

Additionally, Sudani held meetings with Czech aircraft and oil and gas companies to explore potential investments and joint ventures. He also met with Czech Parliament Speaker Marketa Pekarova to discuss ways to enhance legislative cooperation between the two nations.

The visit underscores Iraq’s efforts to diversify international partnerships, strengthen its energy and transportation sectors, and attract foreign investments as it advances its Development Road vision.