Germany sends first minister to Iraq since invasion

Germany opposed the invasion but his visit is the latestsign many foreign capitals are ready to upgrade ties with Iraq,where violence has fallen to a four-year low.

"The German minister confirmed his country's keenness toimprove political and economic ties with Iraq and that Germancompanies are absolutely ready to rebuild Iraq," a statementfrom Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih's office said.

The statement urged German and Iraqi businessmen toestablish a joint forum in Iraq this year.

European interest in Iraq, especially its massive energypotential, has grown. The European Union is negotiating anenergy pact with Iraq, part of the bloc's efforts to reducedependence on Russian oil and gas.

Glos has expressed alarm in recent months about the impactof higher oil prices on Germany's economic growth.

"No other country in the Middle East at the moment has sucha large, untapped oil reserve," Glos was quoted as saying ofIraq in Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper due out on Sunday.

His visit comes two days after Turkish Prime MinisterTayyip Erdogan travelled to Baghdad. Jordan's King Abdullah isexpected to visit soon.

(Additional reporting by Erik Kirschbaum in Berlin)

(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editingby Jon Boyle)