4 January: The Turkish ambassador to France is set to return to Paris within days to coordinate Turkey’s efforts to prevent the passing of a controversial bill in the French Senate penalising the denial of Armenian genocide allegations (Hurriyet Daily New

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.

Poland’s presidential election has come down to an ideological choice between a liberal pro-European versus a nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday 1st June. The contest has international implications with US President Donald Trump throwing his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, dangling the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.