The annual study tour of the Diplomatic School students to Artsakh took place from May 12 to 16.

On May 12^th, led by the Director of the School, Ambassador Vahe Gabrielyan, the students visited the Araks river valley, the city of Kovsakan and Ishkhanadzor village, where agricultural and development important projects are in progress.

The other day students visited one of the regiments of NKR Defence Army, talked with the officers and soldiers on duty and were briefed on certain aspects of military life and training.

On May 15^th, students had an opportunity to meet the officials holding the highest offices of power of the Republic of Artsakh. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the students met with Mr. Masis Mayilyan, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, who briefed the DS students on the priorities of NKR foreign policy and the main tasks of the Ministry and answered their questions.

The Speaker of National Assembly, Ashot Ghulyan spoke about the programmes of international cooperation by Artsakh’s Legislature, as well as about achievements of Artsakh in political and diplomatic spheres.

Students also met with Arayik Harutyunyan, the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh. Mr. Harutyunyan focused on the Government’s efforts in the development of different spheres of economy and touched upon measures aimed at encouraging investment and improvement of infrastructures, as well as the economic achievements of Artsakh.

On the same day, the students were received by the President of the Republic of Artsakh’ Bako Sahakyan. The President noted with satisfaction that study visits by students of Diplomatic School to Artsakh, initiated by its Director, had become a commendable tradition and that such visits were important for future diplomats. President Sahakyan touched upon the key issues of domestic and foreign policy and answered students’ numerous questions.

During the study trip the students visited the Museum of the Relatives of Soldiers of Artsakh War Missing in Action, the Museum of Perished Azatamartiks (Freedom Fighters) and the Artsakh State History and Geography Museum in Stepanakert, “Karabakh Carpet” factory, Shushi Fine Arts Gallery, the Carpet Museum, Museum of the Armenian Dram, the Museum of Geology and TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies in Stepanakert.

They also visited Amaras, Dadivank and Gandzasar Monastery complexes, the Ghazantshetsonts Cathedral in Shushi, the site of excavations of the ancient city of Tigranakert and its Museum and the Hunot Canyon.