site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Meets Iranian Parliament Speaker Larijani

Prime Minister Borissov Meets Iranian Parliament Speaker Larijani

Tehran, July 12 (BTA special correspondent Genka Ivanova) - Meeting with the Chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Ali Larijani on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the historic agreement about the Iranian nuclear programme and the enhanced dialogue between the EU and Tehran have paved the ground for restarting relations between Bulgaria and Iran.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said there are positive prospects for the development of ties between the two countries due to the fact that Bulgaria was among Iran's traditional partners in Eastern Europe during the 80s. Borissov recalled that in some years the commercial exchange exceeded 500 million dollars whereas now it totals some 150-160 million dollars annually.

"The levels of the 80s may be restored. The talks which I had on Tuesday with President Rouhani and First Vice-President Jahangiri were very useful to us and hopefully to Iran as well. Our delegation discussed concrete projects which could provide the foundations to restart our economic cooperation. We believe that as EU member Bulgaria is of interest to Iran as a location on the transit route of Iranian goods to Europe and possibly for new energy projects."

Prime Minister Borissov noted that parliamentarian cooperation has played an important role in boosting economic ties between the two countries, which in recent years has been developing actively. He extended an invitation to Larijani to visit Bulgaria on behalf of Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva.

Dr Larijani noted that the good relations between Bulgaria and Iran in the past are an advantage after the end of Iran's isolation. "We look at Bulgaria as a gateway to the European Union in order to develop our economic relations with European countries." The Iranian Parliament Speaker reaffirmed Iran's desire to advance cooperation with Bulgaria in the field of economy, tourism, energy and culture.

Prime Minister Borissov noted that Bulgaria is an example of tolerance between the different religions. He said that the Bulgarian people is peaceful and that Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully and that Muslims participate in the political and social life in Bulgaria on an equal footing.