Zarif Hopes for Expansion of Iran's Ties with Bulgaria


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described Tehran-Sofia ties as a reliable asset, underscoring the need for promotion of bilateral relations in all aspects.

"There are many grounds for the development of relations between the two countries," Zarif said in a Saturday meeting with Hristo Polendakov, the new Bulgarian ambassador to Tehran.

The Iranian top diplomat hailed the long history of Tehran-Sofia relations as a "reliable asset", and expressed the hope that the capacities and potentials for ties at bilateral, regional and international levels will be tapped.

Zarif noted that the two countries have the determination to materialize the existing capacities in their relations.

Polendakov, for his part, welcomed the deepening of bilateral ties between Tehran and Sofia.

The Bulgarian ambassador, who submitted a copy of his credentials to Zarif, added that he would seek to develop and reinforce bilateral relations during the course of his mission in Tehran.

Earlier in June 2014, an Iranian delegation including several lawmakers paid a visit to Sofia and held a meeting with Bulgarian members of parliament, during which they highlighted the friendly ties between Tehran and Sofia in the past 100 years.