The study tour of the Diplomatic School students to Artsakh took place from April 25 to 28. Graduates of the 2020-21 “International Relations and Diplomacy” programme, who were recruited by the MFA, also took part in the study tour.

On April 26^th, the participants of the study tour visited the Stepanakert Memorial Complex and laid flowers at the monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and at the monuments to and graves of the freedom fighters killed in the Artsakh wars.

On the same day, meetings were held with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan, the Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan, the State Minister Artak Beglaryan, the Secretary of the Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan and the President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan. On April 27^th, the participants of the study tour also met with the Speaker of the National Assembly Artur Tovmasyan.

During the meetings, the students and graduates of the Diplomatic School were introduced to the situation in the country after the 44-day war, the activities aimed towards overcoming security issues and the prospects for the resolution of the conflict. Areas of cooperation between the two Armenian states, global and regional challenges were discussed as well. The students also got acquainted with the fact-finding work carried out by the Human Rights Defender’s office.

The students visited the Museum of the Freedom Fighters Missing in Action, the Museum of Perished Freedom Fighters, the Artsakh State Museum of History and Local Lore and the Freedom Fighter’s Park in Stepanakert.

The participants of the study tour also visited Gandzasar Monastery complex and the Gandzasar branch of Matenadaran.