Georgian, Czech PMs Discuss Economic Cooperation

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli met with his Czech counterpart, Mirek Topol?nek, in Prague on June 13.

Trade issues and economic cooperation were the focus of the meeting, according to the Georgian PM?s press office.

Nogaideli said after the meeting that several new investment projects were under consideration. He did not, however, give details.

Czech media sources reported in May, when Topol?nek visited Georgia, that Czech companies were looking into the possibility of investing in Georgian infrastructure, in particular its railway and road networks.

The two prime ministers also discussed Georgia?s possible NATO integration, the Georgian PM?s press office said.

It was not immediately clear whether a possible arms deal between the two countries was discussed at the meeting.

Czech First Deputy Defense Minister Martin Bartak said after visiting Georgia in May that talks were underway on a possible procurement order for at least ten Czech L-159 advanced light combat aircraft.

Nogaideli also met top executives from the Czech state-run Export Bank, which acts as financial guarantor for the Czech company, Energo-Pro.

Energo-Pro is the leading electricity distributor in Georgia, following the purchase this year of six hydro power plants and two electricity distribution companies for USD 132 million.

The Czech Export Banks also provides support to another investment project in Georgia involving the rehabilitation and construction of hospitals carried out by Block-Georgia, a daughter company of a Czech company, Block a.s.

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