Japan's government is likely to increase defense spending for the first time in 11 years, Japanese media reported on Saturday, as newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledges a sterner response to a territorial dispute with China.

• January 5, 2013

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has stressed the importance of eradicating nuclear weapons in the region, saying the atomic disarmament of Israel would be the key to resolving outstanding issues pertaining to Iran’s nuclear energy program.

• January 5, 2013

Seeking closer economic ties, Iran posited itself as an attractive transit destination to other countries and a net provider of energy security at a press conference by top official Saeed Jalili, who is being spoken as a presidential candidate to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his completion of two terms in office

• January 5, 2013

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili recalled ambassadors from several countries, presidential administration reported.

• January 4, 2013

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said his country planned to sign an Association Agreement with the EU in the course of 2013. But he also stressed that the country would develop its relations with Russia’s Custom’s Union in areas which do not contradict other “international obligations”.

• January 4, 2013

Iran says it agrees in principle to resume international talks on its controversial nuclear program later this month.

• January 4, 2013

The guidelines will abolish electricity and coal contracts from 2013. Coal companies and power plants will be able to settle coal prices through negotiations, says an article in 21st Century Business Herald.

• January 3, 2013

Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister noted that the existence of gas grid interconnections would give Bulgaria the opportunity to develop the gas market and to persuade the European Commission that it took the problem seriously.

• January 3, 2013