Bulgaria Stresses Closer Ties with Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Visiting Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Valentin Poriazov, in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Majid Takht Ravanchi, voiced Sofia’s willingness to expand cooperation with Tehran in all possible fields.
In the meeting held in the Iranian capital on Sunday, the Bulgarian diplomat hailed bilateral relations between Iran and Bulgaria as "age-old and historical", and said next year, the two countries will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Poriazov said his country has some proposals to promote Tehran-Sofia relations in all spheres, adding that the Bulgarian foreign minister plans to pay a visit to Iran soon.
He further announced that Bulgaria is prepared to hold the next meeting of Iran-Bulgaria Joint Economic Commission after a seven-year interval.
Takht Ravanchi, for his part, said the existing historical and cultural commonalties between the two countries and also the entire trade and economic opportunities should be utilized to promote bilateral relations in all spheres.
In a meeting with new Bulgarian Ambassador to Tehran Christo Polendakov earlier in May, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani referred to Bulgaria as a country with a prominent position in Europe, and called for the expansion of bilateral ties in all fields.
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 at the time.