The opening and welcome speech was delivered by the acting director of YSU IB A. Makaryan and YSU Continuing Education Center Director L. Kharatyan, referring to the activities of the EU observation mission in general terms, emphasizing the latter's role and importance in the region, introducing the head of the mission, Marcus Ritter, to the participants of the meeting.

Then the head of the EU observation mission M. Ritter outlined the mission's main purpose, tasks and functions. In particular, it was noted that the staff consisting of 209 employees (165 international, 44 local) performs the following 3 key functions:

• observe and report on the security situation along the international border with Azerbaijan, on the Armenian side;

• contribute to ensuring the security of people living in conflict-affected areas,

• contribute to the formation of an atmosphere of trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Mr. Ritter answered the participants’ questions, which were mainly related to the mechanisms and steps taken by the observation mission and the European Union in general in ensuring the stability and peace of the region.

It was also mentioned that the mandate of the EU observation mission is in Armenia for 2 years, it will end at the beginning of 2025, and if extended, will last until February 2027. In conclusion, Mr. M. Ritter emphasized that the EU observation mission is an impartial, civilian and unarmed mission whose sole purpose is to contribute to the establishment of peace in the region.