Iraqi minister for religious affairs in Baku

Iraqi minister for religious affairs Abdul Manaam Ahmad Saleh arrived in Baku Saturday on the invitation of the Caucasus clerical leader Sheik Pashazadeh.

The objective of the mission is to study the religious and political life in Azerbaijan and try to improve religious relations between the two Muslim countries in an effort to sign an agreement on pilgrimage of Caucasus Muslims to Iraq's holy places.

On Saturday, the Iraqi minister met with the parliament speaker Murtuz Alasgarov. While in Baku, he will also meet with vice-premier Elchin Afandiyev, chairman of the state committee on religious affairs Rafig Aliyev, etc.

Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev received the visiting Iraqi minister on Monday. The visitor stated that it was necessary to establish a joint economic commission to further expand bilateral relations. He then voiced a hope that Azerbaijan would open its embassy in Baghdad.

Minister Guliyev regarded the visit as another step toward improving mutual understanding between the two countries and spoke highly of the cooperation within the OIC.

The visit is underway.