TEHRAN, May 13 (UPI) -- Bulgaria is in a geographical position to serve as a stepping stone for Iranian gas ambitions to reach Europe, the Iranian president said.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reviewed the credentials of Bulgarian Ambassador to Tehran Christo Polendakov during a ceremony in the Iranian capital. Rouhani said his government viewed Bulgaria as a means to tap into the European energy market.
"Bulgaria has a superior geographical status in southeastern Europe and it can act like a bridge between Iran and the European countries in all areas, including transfer of energy," the Iranian president said.
Bulgaria last year suspended its role in a now-shelved Russian natural gas pipeline planned for Europe, South Stream, arguing it violated legal requirements in the European Commission that restrict the role of gas suppliers from distribution projects.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov in January said the government in Sofia was interested in serving European energy needs. Developers behind the Trans-Adriatic pipeline meant to ferry gas from Azerbaijan to Europe said Bulgaria could link to the new route through its existing pipeline infrastructure.
Iran in the past has held out its vast natural gas reserves as an option to help the European economy break the Russian grip on its energy sector. Most of the Russian gas for Europe runs through war-torn Ukraine, making legacy pipeline options for Europe fraught with geopolitical risk.
Sanctions imposed on Iran's energy sector have presented roadblocks to the country's effort to embrace Europe. Sanctions pressure may ease if a framework nuclear agreement is formalized later this year.
