Undue US interventions in Mideast wrong: Iran president

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the uncalled for interventions of the United States and its allies in the internal affairs of Middle East countries are a mistake.

“The US and its allies were wrong to make uncalled for interventions in the region but now all regional nations have to pay the price for their errors and mistakes,” Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Tehran on Monday.

He urged regional countries to strengthen their cooperation and adopt strategies to put an end to ongoing conflicts in the region.

The Iranian president further warned of the spread of terrorism and its repercussions not only for Middle Eastern states but for all countries around the world.

“In countries in our region which are currently plagued with terrorism and bloody conflict, people of various ethnicities and faiths peacefully and cordially coexisted for centuries but clashes in fact began when certain people interfered in the internal affairs of the region and fanned the flames of divisions, terror and horror via seemingly appealing slogans such as fighting terrorism and [promoting] democracy,” Rouhani pointed out.

He stressed the importance of reinforcing unity among all regional countries in a bid to restore peace and stability and jointly fight terrorism.

New chapter in Iran-Bulgaria ties

Rouhani also expressed Iran’s readiness to open a new chapter in relations with Bulgaria in all sectors and said deep-rooted bonds and commonalities between the two nations have prepared the ground for strengthening the two side's cooperation.

“Bulgaria, as a friendly country, can serve as a gateway and a bridge between Iran and European countries in all areas,” the president said.

Sofia’s resolute to boost all-out cooperation with Iran

Borisov, for his part, said Bulgaria is determined to boost all-out cooperation with Iran and added that his country can serve as a gateway for Iranian products to a 550-million-strong European market.

He added that Sofia seeks to set up a new corridor in the region to pave the way for Iranian products to reach European markets.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Borisov arrived in the Iranian capital late on Sunday.

In a meeting between Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri and Borisov on Monday, Tehran and Sofia signed three memoranda of understanding to further promote relations in various fields, including agriculture, transport and nuclear energy.

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