YEREVAN. - President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Friday received the Rector of the University of the Uruguay Republic, Roberto Markarián.

Welcoming the guest, the President noted that it is a pride to have an Armenian as a head of one of the most important educational institutions of Uruguay, who has also made his significant contribution to the education system development of that country and is respected in Uruguay.

At the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged ideas on the opportunities of and prospects for the Armenian-Uruguayan cooperation development in the area of education.

Touching on the cooperation agreement to be signed between the Yerevan State University (YSU) and University of the Republic in the framework of Mr Markarián's visit on October 3, the Armenian President and the Rector both attached importance to the productive cooperation formed between Armenia and Uruguay in the area of education. They also expressed hope that this will foster the further cooperation and exchange programs between the educational systems of both countries.

Referring to the friendly Armenian-Uruguayan tiess, the interlocutors underscored the importance of the Armenian community of Uruguay in terms of strengthening the interstate ties and cooperation in the areas of mutual interest to both states.

The President recalled with pleasure his visit to Uruguay in 2014, as well as the agreements reached at the meetings with the top leadership of the country.

Sargsyan stressed that the Armenian people remember with gratitude and highly appreciate the fact that Uruguay was the first to recognize the Armenian Genocide over 50 years ago. He also thanked the Government of Uruguay and its people for marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at a state level.

For his part, Rector Roberto Markarián noted that he is interested in the chess teaching methodology in Armenian schools. He expressed a wish to apply the Armenian experience in Uruguayan schools, for which purpose he will meet with the Armenian chess players on the sidelines of the international conference to be held in Tasghkadzor Saturday.  

Apart from this, the Armenian President and Rector Roberto Markarián exchanged ideas on the issues of pan-Armenian significance.