The friendship and mutual respect between Bulgaria and Iran are a condition for the deepening of the bilateral relations in all directions, and the Islamic republic regards friendly Bulgaria as a major partner in its cooperation with the EU. This is what transpired during President Rosen Plevneliev's meeting with Iran's President Dr. Hassan Rouhani within the framework of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly held in New York.
Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Dr. Hassan Rouhani were unanimous that it is important that the two countries should take advantage of the favorable moment after the sanctions against Iran were lifted and increase their trade, economic and investment cooperation and the bilateral exchange in a number of sectors such as transport, science and technology, logistics, culture and tourism, among other areas.
Head of state Rosen Plevneliev outlined the excellent opportunities for firms from Iran to take a foothold on the European market by drawing on Bulgaria's competitive advantages. The two leaders highlighted the cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry as particularly prospective, and the Iranian side is considering the opportunities to create joint ventures with Bulgarian partners and subsequently developing trade with third countries in the Middle East. There is potential for boosting the cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies, the nano- and bio-technologies, food processing, energy, water management, among other areas.
During the talk it transpired that the Iranian side was planning to launch the construction of a railway transport corridor through Georgia, and sees Bulgaria as providing the privileged opportunity for the implementation of the project for transport connectedness with Europe.
Iranian businesses can also find excellent conditions for business operations the European market by taking advantage of the Bulgarian industrial zones and the favorable tax system, President Rosen Plevneliev pointed out. Furthermore, opportunities will be sought to deepen the contacts with the private sectors in the two countries, Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Dr. Hassan Rouhani further agreed on.
Despite the course of history, the bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples of Bulgaria and Iran have invariably been good and friendly. The two countries have established cultural and historical traditions over the years, and these traditions provide the most favorable ground to achieve successful results in the bilateral cooperation, the two presidents further pointed out.