Bulgaria Keen on Closer Relations

Bulgarian Ambassador in Tehran Haristo Polendakov voiced his country’s willingness to broaden bilateral ties. “The Bulgarian government is keen on closer political, economic and cultural relations with Iran,” Polendakov was quoted as saying by Fars News Agency on Sunday. The envoy said Bulgarian political officials have underlined the need for development of friendly ties with a “large and strategic” country like Iran in the Middle East. Over the past two years, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has visited Iran twice and seven Cabinet ministers of the East European country have traveled to Iran and many memoranda of understanding on mutual cooperation have been signed between the two sides. According to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, trade between Iran and Bulgaria stood at around $150 million last year and the two countries have agreed to boost trade several times in the coming years. Trade between Tehran and Sofia has been growing over the past few years and the two countries have agreed to create a transport corridor linking Iran, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.