Bulgarian president urges strong economic ties with Iran

Tehran, Feb 28, IRNA – Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev in a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday emphasized boosting economic ties with Iran as a priority of his country.

'Boosting economic ties with Iran requires clearing the trade path and enhancing transit, as the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor is on agenda,' he said.

'Iran is an important country in the region and we value having relations with it,' the Bulgarian president said.

He also appreciated Iran's role for stability and peace in the Middle East.

The Bulgarian president also called for more cultural and popular relations between the two countries, particularly in the tourism sector.

Iranian FM, at the meeting, said that Bulgaria is of great importance to Iran in every dimension, particularly in terms of transit, as boosting roads and corridors are of great importance to Iran.

Zarif, heading an economic delegation, is visiting Bulgaria as a part of his trip to Eastern Europe.

He expressed hope that the visit and a joint trade conference will lay grounds for boosting cooperation.

'Currently, eight Iranian provinces are enjoying economic relations with Bulgaria,' Zarif said.

The nuclear deal is a diplomatic achievement for which the Europe played a big role, he said.

Referring to the productive role of Iran in fighting terrorism and extremism, the foreign minister said, 'We are consistently fighting terrorist groups in the region, while some states in the region are still supporting them.'

The two sides also discussed main issues of the region, including Yemen and Syria's crisis, as well as efforts made by Iran to resolve them.