Eurotopics.net

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed parliament on Thursday with a government statement on gang violence in the country. He presented a strategy that includes body search zones, facial recognition and a legal provision that guarantees anonymity for witnesses in a bid to bring the problem, which has recently cost several lives, under control. The involvement of the military is also under discussion.

Once Germany gave up its reservations it looked very much like an agreement would be reached on the proposed European Migration and Asylum Crisis Regulation at the meeting of EU interior ministers on Thursday. The regulation foresees the possibility of detaining refugees for longer periods on the EU's external borders in the event of mass influxes of migrants. But at the last minute Italy, which wants new rules for dealing with private rescue ships, raised objections. Commentators see a deeply divided Europe.

After Azerbaijan's military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, the structures of the internationally unrecognised Republic of Artsakh will be dissolved. The authorities declared that "all state institutions and organisations" would be dismantled by 1 January 2024. Commentators mull over how this came about and what it means for the region.