Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset visits YSU

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan underscored the significance of such meetings, stating, "It is symbolic that the tradition of hosting meetings with ambassadors continues, especially at the Faculty of International Relations, where future diplomats are trained. Although the examination period is nearly over, students remain eager to meet ambassadors, foreign diplomats, and prominent international actors."   

The rector further noted that students were encouraged to pose questions to the speaker without hesitation.

Secretary General Alain Berset remarked that one of the best ways to understand a country is to listen to its students. He expressed eagerness to hear their questions, which he hoped would lead to a meaningful exchange of ideas.  

"You are the first generation in Armenia to live what the European project was always meant to be — a promise of peace built on justice, security rooted in rights, and prosperity shared through solidarity," Alain Berset said. "And in 2025, that promise is being tested. While the Council of Europe does not command armies, it has another kind of power— the power to ensure that aggression does not pay, that law prevails over violence, and that accountability helps pave the way to peace." 

He stressed that their efforts aim to close the impunity gap not through force, but through the rule of law. 

During the Q&A session, participants raised questions regarding the role of youth in the Council of Europe’s activities and the protection of the cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, which they described as an integral part of the Christian world.

Alain Berset noted that, to engage young people in geopolitical discussions and to hear their perspectives, two youth centers have been established in Strasbourg. One of the primary objectives of these centers, supported by the Council of Europe, is to facilitate the development of the younger generation. He emphasized that their role is to strengthen democratic values and protect human rights, thereby fostering stable and peaceful relations — which he described as the only path toward a promising future. 

Regarding the preservation of the cultural and historical heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, Alain Berset emphasized that democracy, the rule of law, and human rights cannot be upheld without recognizing the huge importance of cultural heritage, roots, traditions, and identity. 

"Efforts aimed at stability, peace, and dialogue inherently contribute to cultural development," he said. "Within the Council of Europe exists a somewhat lesser-known but important body—the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities—which specifically addresses issues related to cultural heritage. This congress could serve not only as a platform for resolving such concerns but also as a platform to foster dialogue and discussions around the matter." 

In this context, he added that peace and stability are essential prerequisites for meaningful dialogue on cultural heritage. "I encourage initiating project discussions with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, as local and regional authorities play a direct role and can have a positive impact on the preservation of cultural heritage," he noted.  

The meeting was attended by YSU faculty members, students, and representatives from other Armenian and international academic institutions. At the conclusion of the meeting, Alain Berset presented participants with his authored report titled "Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe."