Iraq VP: Pilgrimage trips revive Tehran-Baghdad ancient ties

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Maliki said Iran and Iraq share a common culture with ancient historical roots.

He said four million Iranians visit Iraq and two million Iraqis travel to Iran annually, adding that such pilgrimage trips have revived the cultural ties between the two countries.

In his meeting with Salehi, Al-Maliki said the visit of the Iranian minister of culture and Islamic guidance to Iraq would serve to substantially enhance bilateral cultural relations.

He said since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has made great progress in the fields of culture, art and sciences and Iraq is in dire need of using the Islamic Republic's experiences in these fields.

Salehi arrived in Baghdad late Monday on a four-day official visit to the country, accompanied by several of his deputies.
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