President Rouhani Hails Iran, Bulgaria Relations
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday referred to Bulgaria as a country with a prominent position in Europe, and called for the expansion of bilateral ties in all fields.
In a meeting with the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Tehran Christo Polendakov, Rouhani pointed to over a century of good relations between the two countries, and expressed Tehran's willingness to further develop its economic, political, and cultural ties with Sofia.
"Bulgaria has an outstanding geographical position in southeastern Europe and can serve as a bridge connecting Iran to European countries in all fields, including the transfer of energy," Rouhani stressed.
The Iranian president also hailed the cultural and natural capacities of the two countries, calling for further cooperation in the field of tourism.
Polendakov, for his part, referred to his country's strategic position as the "gateway to Europe", saying that Bulgaria can act as a route for the transfer of energy and goods between Iran and Europe.
He further stressed the development of ties between the two countries, adding, "Iran has numerous historical, cultural, and architectural attractions and can be the destination of tourists from many European countries."
Elsewhere in the meeting, the Bulgarian ambassador also submitted his credentials to the Iranian president.
Earlier last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described Tehran-Sofia ties as a reliable asset, underscoring the need for promotion of bilateral relations in all aspects.
"There are many grounds for the development of relations between the two countries," Zarif said in his meeting with Polendakov in mid-April.