Yevgeny Bazhanov: Diplomatic Academy cooperates closely with South Caucasus universities

The rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Yevgeny Bazhanov, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the cooperation with universities of the South Caucasus countries.

"In accordance with the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, since 1996 each year we have 15 young diplomats from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia enrolling at the expense of the Russian budget. After relations with Tbilisi became more complicated, students from this country stopped coming, but from Azerbaijan, Armenia, we regularly have 15 people a year," he said.

"Many of our graduates are occupying senior positions in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia. And not only in the Foreign Ministries, but also in other government structures. This is one of the areas of our cooperation," the rector said.

The rector of the Diplomatic Academy spoke about other types of cooperation, "We are conducting conferences together, exchanging scientific literature, we send students for internships." "In general, it is a very intense and productive exchange," Bazhanov stressed.

"There are also representatives of those states who are studying with us at their own expense or at the expense of organizations of the country. And also for a variety of programs. For example, we conduct short courses for retraining, advanced training on specific topics. Moreover, we produce a magazine together, which is called the "Alma Mater". This is a magazine of the Alumni Association of the Diplomatic Academy," he said, adding that "the Azerbaijanis whom we are teaching helped to publish one of these issues." "A beautiful, interesting publication, and we sent it to the authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government structures," the rector of the Diplomatic Academy said.