Conflict and Peace

"As a result of the November 10 trilateral statement, and deployment of Russian peacekeepers, Armenia now is more dependent on Russia than at any time since September 1991", writes Benyamin Poghosyan in this commentary. Furthermore, the deployment of Russian border troops in the Syunik region significantly increases Russian influence and leverage over Armenia, something which will definitely impact Armenia- Russia relations in the future.       

The European Union appreciates the facilitation efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and encourages all actors to ensure a swift and complete implementation of all provisions of the Riyadh Agreement.

"The EU stands ready to assume a role in supporting and shaping a durable settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, in close complementarity with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We are ready to use our peacebuilding and reconstruction tools to support this."

The Polisario Front condemned on Thursday a declaration by US President Donald Trump recognising Western Sahara as part of Morocco.

In this analysis, Noman Ahmed and Dennis Sammut discuss recent moves to end the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and several other Arab states ahead of a crucial summit of the Gulf Co-operation Council in Bahrain later this month.

It was reported early on Tuesday morning (8 December) that a Turkish ship transporting medicine to the Libyan port of Misrata was detained by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar. 

In a statement the EU welcomed the agreement. "The settlement of the internal rift will allow the GCC to restore its unity and resume its important work. The EU remains ready to further strengthen its long-standing partnership with a reinvigorated GCC", it said.