Relations betweenIranand Bulgaria are warm and friendly, according to newIranianambassador to Sofia Abullah Norouzi.In particular, Norouzi stressed that Bulgaria's andEU's linking of the July 2012Burgas bus bombingto Lebanon organizationHezbollahwill in no way harmIran's relations with Bulgaria.
"This accusation was nothing to do withIran, either directly or indirectly," stated the diplomat in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Sunday.
"Relations betweenIranand Bulgaria have a very ancient history. Contemporary diplomatic relations are 130 year old. But then we have the historic relations and contacts between our two peoples," said Norouzi.
"The Bulgarian people is among the few peoples in Europe that have common roots with us. These two elements help both the Bulgarian government and our government to have a greater desire for deeper relations," added he.
One of the leading theories regarding the origin of the ancient Bulgarians, orBulgars, is that they were an Indo-Iraniantribe.
Even apart from this theory, theBulgarsare believed to have come in extensive contact withPersiansinCentral Asiaaround the 3-4th centuries AD.
By Sofia News Agency
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