YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Uruguay may become the first country to recognize the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic according to Uruguay’s Vice-Presdient Danilo Astori who is on an official visit to Armenia, reported ArmRadio.

“My country is working toward that direction,” Astori said at a press conference on Monday with the Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Galust Sahakyan.

Astori said that his country’s government wants to maintain good relations will all countries, including the ones involved in the conflict.

Sahakyan expressed hope that Armenia could rely on Uruguay’s support in resisting the anti-Armenian efforts of Azerbaijan on the international arena, emphasizing the friendly and high-level cooperation that Armenia and Uruguay have and the latter’s consistent position on Armenia-related issues within the international community.

Astori said Uruguay will always support the Minsk Group efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He attached importance to parliamentary diplomacy in the development and deepening of relations between the two countries.

Uruguay’s Vice-President said that his country has a newly-elected government, which seeks to develop and reinforce relations with Armenia, explain that the two friendly countries have a number of similarities based on their history, traditions and culture.

Referring to Uruguay’s position on the Armenian Genocide, Astori said “the memory of the Genocide victims will always remain bright in his country, since everything should be done to prevent its reoccurrence.”

Earlier during his visit, Astori laid a wreath at the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide memorial and spoke of plans to open an Armenian Genocide museum in Montevideo.