Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were displaced in the 1990s as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They initially lived in squalid conditions, but the government over the last decade has spent considerable sums of money to provide them with proper accommodation

Long awaited Putin-Pashinyan meeting took place in Moscow on Thursday (27 December). Both leaders spoke about economic co-operation, but Putin also had other things on his mind.

A regular session of the of the political consultation mechanism between Armenia and Georgia was held on Tuesday (25 December) in Tbilisi led by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the respective countries.

New year celebrations in the Chechen capital, Grozny, are widely reported by the Russian media to project an image of normality.

In an interview with Rossiya-24 TV station Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev spoke on economic development, relations with Russia and criticism of the country's human rights record, as well as the Karabakh issue.

The Armenian prime minister said the increased legitimacy of the government based on the people's mandate enabled Armenian diplomats to focus on important goals

Azerbaijan is an oil exporting country, and the mood of Baku often reflects the price of oil on the international markets. In that sense 2018 has been a year of mixed moods. For the moment however, it is time to celebrate and Baku is preparing for its usual big new year's eve celebration.

European Commission President Jean Claude Junker reflects on 2018, and the challenges ahead

The Christmas tree is up in Tbilisi's Republic Square, and the festive season in Georgia has now officially started. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze was on hand, together with prime minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, to switch on the lights on Saturday evening (22 December).

Throughout the region, 2018 has been a significant year with important political and social developments. The putting up of the tree usually marks the end of the political year, and the start of a short break when focus is more on family, friends and merriment.