In her Christmas address the British Monarch praised organisations that "have worked to promote peace and unity around the world, bringing together those who have been on opposing sides."
In Baku elaborate festive lights adorned the centre of the city and iconic landmarks, such as the historic Maiden Tower. Celebrations in Azerbaijan will reach their climax on New Year's eve.
In Armenia, prime minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday (20 December) together with his family, joined the Mayor of Yerevan for the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Yerevan's iconic Republic Square.
"If talks might make matters worse, their continued absence almost certainly will. Getting back to the table will be difficult but is the only way Armenia and Azerbaijan can start digging out of their deadlock", the report says
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan during which he held meetings with president Aliyev and other officials
In Brussels, a European Union spokesperson said that "Georgia's commitment to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in its judiciary remains key for the credibility of the judiciary in the eyes of the Georgian citizens and for the advancement of the EU-Georgia agenda".