Tehran Times
Tehran, Sofia Ready to Promote Ties
TEHRAN On Saturday, officials from Iran and Bulgaria voiced their readiness to promote ties in political, economic and scientific areas.
In meetings with the President Khatami and Foreign Minister Kharrazi, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy welcomed any move to expand all bilateral relations between the two countries.
Khatami underlined that both countries have great potential for strengthening mutual economic, political and cultural ties, and both hold strategic positions in their respective regions. He said he was pleased about the great efforts made to teach Farsi at Bulgarian universities and called for the promotion of scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Passi said that the two countries play key roles in the establishment of a link between Asia and Europe and that their being consulted on major regional and international developments would help to settle various world crises.
Praising Khatami's idea of dialogue among civilizations, the Bulgarian minister said Sofia is interested in promoting the initiative to include all countries and cultures.
During the meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Passi referred to the longstanding ties between Tehran and Sofia and said that the two countries would further develop political, economic and cultural relations.
He said they both have an enormous capacity to expand mutually beneficial ties in trade and commerce, and Bulgaria is also willing to advance cultural cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Passi was satisfied with the establishment of the new Afghan interim government, and confirmed his country's interest in supporting the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said that the diplomatic relationship between Tehran and Sofia dates back 100 years and is still growing, and in particular called increased cooperation between their private sectors and chambers of commerce.
He also pointed to Majlis Speaker Karrubi's successful visit to Bulgaria last month and said it had helped foster parliamentary links between Tehran and Sofia. He suggested that due to the strategic positions held by Iran and Bulgaria in the Middle East and Eastern Europe respectively, they should promote regional and international cooperation within world forums, including the United Nations.
Kharrazi and Passi also reviewed the latest regional and international developments and the situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East in particular. The Iranian foreign minister said he was concerned about the continued state terrorism perpetrated by the Zionist regime in the occupied territories and said that the Palestinian refugees' right to return home should be respected.
Passi, heading a delegation of both political and economic officials, arrived in Tehran on Friday and will leave today. Before their departure, the group will take part in a meeting with representatives of Iranian businesses at Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM).
In a meeting with Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi, Passi voiced pleasure over growing Tehran-Sofia parliamentary ties, and hoped that further visits by officials of the two countries would usher in new horizons in bilateral relations.
Passi pointed out to Karrubi's recent visit to Sofia describing the visit as a turning point in bilateral parliamentary relations.
He further called for the implementation of economic agreements concluded earlier between the two countries.
Karrubi, for his part, called for an expansion of ties in the light of the prevailing capacities in both countries.
He said he was glad that the Bulgarian government observes the rights of minorities, particularly Muslims.
Karrubi called for broadening Tehran-Sofia parliamentary cooperation, especially in meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The Bulgarian foreign minister, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran Friday evening for a two-day visit for talks on matters of mutual interest.
The Bulgarian minister also met with Iranian Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari yesterday.
During their meeting, the two sides stressed promotion of Tehran-Sofia economic ties.
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