On July 1 a reception dedicated to the launch of the new stage of the project by EU to support the Diplomatic School of Armenia was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the reception Members of the National Assembly, Heads of the partner universities, Ambassadors accredited in Armenia, representatives of international organizations and alumni of the Diplomatic School were present.

Stressing the significance of the Diplomatic School in preparing qualified diplomats in his speech Minister Nalbandyan pointed that three years after its opening, the School has grown into an institution with a good name, offering a high-quality professional education to students, who aspire to join diplomatic service of Armenia, as well as training mid-career diplomats and employees of external relations departments of government agencies.

“Over this period about eight dozen young professionals have graduated from the Diplomatic School, 41 out of whom are currently working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The launch of this project is a vivid acknowledgement by our international partners of the achievements of the Diplomatic School.”-said the Minister.

Minister Nalbandyan expressed his appreciation to the European Union and to all partner organizations and partner countries, who have contributed to the process of developing the Diplomatic School as well as to all high-ranking officials, professors and guest lecturers who have brought their contribution to the education process over the last several years.

In his speech the Head of the EU Delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea touched upon the way made by the Diplomatic School stressing that it had achieved considerable results during the short time of its activities and the new project financed by the EU is an evaluation of that.

The project financed by the EU which was launched in May 2013 is intended to support the capacity and institutional building of the Diplomatic School of Armenia.

The project will also include a number of informative events and out-of-school events as well as study trips to international organizations based in Vienna and Brussels.