TEHRAN – First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri said on Monday that Iran supports the legitimate governments that are fighting terrorism.

Jahangiri made the remarks in an Iran-Bulgaria joint committee meeting in Tehran in which Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was present.

Noting that international determination is required to fight terrorism, the vice president said, “Today, the people in Iraq, Syria and Libya are fighting terrorism and it is essential to support the legal governments of these countries.”

He said that the extremist and terrorist groups have caused Islamophobia in the world while Bulgaria has acted in a way that people with various religions have brotherly relations.

He also said that Iran is ready to expand cooperation with Bulgaria given the historical and cultural affinities between the two countries.

For his part, Prime Minister Borissov said that Bulgaria is determined to expand political, economic and cultural ties with Iran.

Pointing to the issue of terrorism and its effects on European countries, Borissov said that reliance on “wisdom” is required to counter terrorism.

Borissov also criticized the policies that have led to war and bloodshed in some countries like Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.

‘Iran, Bulgaria determined to expand ties’

During a joint press conference with the Bulgarian prime minister, Jahangiri also said that the Iranian and Bulgarian officials are strongly determined to expand ties.

Jahangiri described Borissov’s trip to Iran as an indication of the two countries’ will to expand relations.

Borissov said that the two countries have the “political will” to take steps in line with serving the interests of the Bulgarian and Iranian peoples.

He said that he will help resolve banking problems between Iran and the European countries.

The Bulgarian prime minister also invited Jahangiri to visit Sofia.

Iran and Bulgaria also signed three memorandums of understanding in areas of joint investment, communications, and industry.

The MOUs were inked in the presence of the Iranian first vice president and the Bulgarian prime minister.

NA/PA