Azerbaijan interested in creating cargo hub at Ostrava airport - Czech PM

BAKU. Nov 13 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan is interested in creating a cargo hub at Ostrava Airport (Czech Republic) and in investing in the development of Karlovy Vary Airport, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told journalists in Dublin, according to the Azerbaijani Report agency.

"The Azerbaijani side is interested in a cargo hub at Ostrava Airport. We also discussed this issue," Babis said.

The Czech Republic for its part is also interested in implementing joint projects with Azerbaijan in the areas of transport, energy and industry, he said. In particular, Prague is counting on the success of Skoda Transportation in a tender to supply trains for the Baku metro.

"It is very important for us that Skoda Transportation wins the tender to supply trains for the Baku metro," Babis said, adding that the company is also offering to service Russian-made railcars operated in Azerbaijan.

Babis also mentioned other areas of cooperation. In particular, the Czech brewer Budvar plans to produce beer under its own brand in cooperation with an Azerbaijani manufacturer.

Babis stressed Prague's interest in further expanding business contacts with Baku, separately highlighting the strategic importance of energy cooperation between the two countries.

Prague is offering Baku modernized L-39NG trainer-combat aircraft produced by Aero Vodochody, which are being promoted on the international market as a cost-effective means of countering drones, he said.

"This aircraft is gradually acquiring an excellent reputation as a drone hunter. It has lower operating costs, and it makes sense to use cheaper systems to destroy drones than to launch F-16s with a million-euro missile at them," he said.