Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan will meet in Bern, Switzerland on December 19.

France, Russia and the United States reject claims that they are to blame for setbacks in the negotiations on Karabakh and point finger at Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In his opening remarks the Prime Minister of Serbia, Alexander Vucic, urged participants to work together to strengthen the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

The latest events further complicate the situation in the region, and all South Caucasus states must be hoping for a de-escalation of tension as soon as possible.

The meeting brings together Ministers and high level officials of the six Eastern Partnership countries.

Ambassador Herbert Salber was first appointed as EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia on 8 July 2014. His term is now extended until February 2017.

In Belgrade on 3-4 December the co-Chair countries will have as a minimum to show that the parties to the conflict remain engaged in negotiations, preferably by announcing the dates for a presidential summit.

Novruz Mammedov tells journalists that both on Karabakh and on relations with Europe, Azerbaijan was ready to engage, but not unconditionally.

The north-eastern border of Armenia with Azerbaijan has seen an increase in tension in the last year, with many reported incidents of exchange of fire between troops of the two countries - some of which have resulted in casualties, including civilians.

In this op-ed Dennis Sammut cautiously welcomes the new EU neighbourhood strategy, but warns about wishful thinking and unanswered questions.