Bulgarian Foreign Minister holds talks with Iranian counterpart about US aircraft

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova held a telephone conversation on July 30 with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Ministry said.

Petrova told Aragchi that in connection with the deployment of United States tanker aircraft in Bulgaria, it is excluded that any direct military actions related to the conflict in the Middle East will be carried out from the territory of Bulgaria, the ministry said.

Iran twice has complained publicly about Bulgaria agreeing to host the US military aircraft at Bezmer air base, a step taken at the request of the US embassy in Sofia in support of operations in the Middle East.

She said that Parliament’s decision was in accordance with Bulgaria’s commitments undertaken within the framework of the strategic bilateral cooperation with the US, and was adopted in accordance with the constitution and the current Bulgarian legislation after an official request from the US.

Petrova said that this in no way means a change in Bulgaria’s approach towards Iran, the statement said.

“Petrova emphasised the importance that Bulgaria attaches to the established good relations with Iran, built on the basis of mutual trust and long-standing cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Petrova said that Bulgaria has consistently appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of talks to negotiate a ceasefire, which would create conditions for achieving a sustainable agreement and a lasting end to the conflict.

The statement said that the two ministers expressed readiness to actively continue and develop the bilateral dialogue between Bulgaria and Iran.

There was no immediate statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry on the conversation.