site.btaPresident Radev Confers with Iranian President Rouhani, King Abdullah II of Jordan

New York/Sofia, September 20 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev conferred Tuesday with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and King Abdullah II of Jordan within the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly held in New York, Radev's Press Secretariat reported.

With its significant oil and natural gas reserves, Iran has the potential to participate in Bulgaria's energy diversification process, President Radev told his Iranian counterpart Rouhani during the meeting.

The two heads of state have agreed that broadening the energy infrastructure linking Europe and Asia creates prerequisites for activating cooperation between Bulgaria and Iran. Rouhani noted that a number of large-scale projects are being implemented in his country's energy sector with investments from European countries, China, India and Japan, while Iran will continue working to attract new investors and gain access to new markets.

Radev and Rouhani confirmed their countries' strive to reestablish the good traditions and active bilateral economic, scientific and cultural exchange. For Iran Bulgaria is a reliable friend and a doorway to broadening economic ties with Europe, President Rouhani said. Radev noted that the historical ties between the peoples of Bulgaria and Iran are a good foundation for further building bilateral relations. The Bulgarian head of State also voiced this country's interest in encouraging joint investments in areas such as transport, energy and tourism, as well as for opening a direct air link between Sofia and Tehran.

Deepening cooperation in the field of science and education was also discussed by the two presidents. In recent years, both countries have gained experience in the development of the IT sector, which creates prerequisites for a scientific exchange and partnership between the tech parks.

President Rouhani invited Radev to visit his country at a time convenient for the Bulgarian President.


President Radev and King Abdullah II of Jordan agreed that it is impossible to guarantee Europe's peace and stability while the crisis in the Middle East continues. The Bulgarian head of Sate thanked the Jordanian King for his country's support in the fight against terrorism and the reestablishment of stability in the Middle East. Radev also underscored Jordan's role in dealing with the refugee flows from military action in the region. Jordan conducts active dialogue and cooperation with the EU and King Abdullah II voiced his belief that this partnership will be deepened within the Bulgarian EU Presidency.

Radev and King Abdullah II also agreed that their countries' security services will actively cooperate and exchange information in order to counter illegal trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Mutual interest was expressed during the meeting in deepening political dialogue and encouraging trade between Bulgaria and Jordan. King Abdullah II accepted Radev's invitation to visit Bulgaria in 2018.

Deputy Prime Minister for judicial reform and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is also in New York, has discussed the situation in Lybia during an informal meeting with EU counterparts, who have gathered for the UN General Assembly's Session. The event was held at the initiative of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reported.