In the usual international musical chairs at the end of the year a number of countries have assumed responsability for different international organisations. Italy assumed the chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for 2018.
The leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia sent new year greetings to their respective populations in traditional messages broadcast minutes before the end of the old year, hailing achievements in 2017 and sounding an optimistic note for the year ahead.
We wish all our readers and subscribers in the Caucasus Region and beyond a happy end to 2017, and a peaceful and prosperous new year 2018. Happy Holidays!
President Putin told the meeting that Russia and the CIS will continue to work on the tasks of socio-economic development, enhancing stability and security.
In the traditional Chritmas mass on Sunday night in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis focused on the world refugees and displaced, saying that their footsteps followed those of the holy family during the night of the nativity