On an official visit to Iran, Bulgarian Foreign Minister  Feim Chaushev  met with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on October 27.

In the meeting, Chaushev said that recent growth in economic trade between Bulgaria and Iran signalled a bright future for the two countries, presstv.ir news agency said.

Chaushev emphasised that Bulgaria and Iran enjoyed a close and friendly relationship, with room to expand bilateral ties.

He said that Iran and Bulgaria enjoy historical and cultural affinity adding that his country has made agreement with Iran to form a Commission on Energy and Iranian gas, irna.ir news agency said.

Mottaki said that Tehran wanted to establish a joint economic committee with Bulgaria, in a bid to develop relations with the country.

Later that day, Chaushev met with Iranian Roads and Transportation Minister Mohammad Rahmati and, separately, with Alireza sheikh Attar, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic affairs of Iran.
Attar and Chaushev discussed the current situation in Irak and Afganishtan and Bulgaria's engagement in their stabilisation, a press statement from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.

On October 28, Chaushev met with Rahmati. In the meeting Rahmati said that contrary to certain powers' propaganda, Iran was willing to expand its relations with other countries, including Bulgaria and EU members, presstv.ir said.

“We hope that in their next meeting, the two countries can review various issues and reach agreements,” he added.

Rahmati praised a recent agreement on a new bus route between Tehran and Sofia. Such a move, he said, along with an increase in the number of flights between the two destinations, would boost political and commercial ties between the two states.

Chaushev called for further bilateral relations, especially in the energy sector and stressed that cooperation between Bulgaria and Iran would help global peace.