CAIRO, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has formed a delegation of oil companies to probe petroleum projects in Iraq, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Sameh Fahmi said on Tuesday.

    The Egyptian delegation will have talks with Iraqi officials on rehabilitating the oil infrastructure in Iraq, the Egyptian MENA news agency quoted Fahmi as saying.

    Besides the projects on developing oil fields, refineries, pipelines and production pads, the Egyptian companies will also seek prospecting operations in Iraq.

    But the official has not informed when the delegation would go to visit Iraq.

    According to Fahmi, the two countries have reached a deal on strategic cooperation in petro-industries.

    On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said during his landmark visit to Baghdad it was the right time for the two countries to promote bilateral ties.

    Abul Gheit also revealed that Fahmi, who accompanied him, had met with Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani, and both sides agreed on enhancing cooperation in the fields of oil and gas.

    The two countries have agreed to reopen the Egyptian embassy in Baghdad, which was closed following the killing of Egyptian top diplomat Ihab al-Sherif by suspected al-Qaida militants in July 2005.