Eurotopics.net

In the wake of terrorist attacks in France and Austria, the EU interior ministers will discuss on Friday how to combat terrorism more effectively. Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is calling for the introduction of a criminal offence called "political Islam". Closer surveillance of threats, cross-border information systems and imam training in Europe are also on the agenda. Most media are also in favour of tougher measures.

Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed a ceasefire for Nagorno-Karabakh. The deal reflects the fact that Azerbaijan was heading for a sweeping military victory before Moscow's intervention: it will retain the territories it has conquered so far and will also get back all Armenian-controlled provinces on the border with Nagorno-Karabakh. Europe's press is particularly interested in Russia's role.

The German company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer published the first results of the final test phase of their coronavirus vaccine on Monday. According to the results, the vaccine provides protection in 90 percent of cases and there are no serious safety concerns. Commentators examine the hurdles that have yet to be cleared on the path to mass vaccination.

New measures aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus have been in force in Portugal since Monday. While people must stay at home from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. all week, on weekends the curfew is in force as of 1 p.m. With the partial lockdown the government hopes to stem the surge in infection rates while keeping the economy and daily life going. Portuguese media react with indignation and sarcasm.

EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia are due to start in December, but Sofia looks set to continue blocking them on the grounds that before talks can go ahead the country must delete the term "Macedonian" from the list of its official languages. The language is a Bulgarian dialect, the North Macedonians are in fact Bulgarians and the nation has emerged due to historical falsification, Sofia claims. Can the conflict be resolved?