Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev met on Saturday with visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs of India Anand Sharma over ways to further bilateral political and economic ties.

Sharma, on a visit to Sofia starting from Thursday at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin, said the Indian government will encourage Indian companies to invest in Bulgaria.

Noting a solid economic tie between the two countries, Stanishev said that broad opportunities exist for India and Bulgaria to promote two-way trade, particularly in the field of high technology.

"Bulgaria and India should also cooperate further in education, science and culture," the Bulgarian premier said.

Sharma also elaborated on India's views and propositions on the United Nations reform, expressing appreciation for Sofia's support for a permanent Indian seat on an enlarged UN Security Council.

The two also discussed defense cooperation and expressed willingness to take joint action against terrorism.

Source: Xinhua