The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan took their longest stride to date in linking their economies, forming a customs union that they say will soon evolve into a more ambitious common market, with Russia at its hub.

• July 6, 2010

Bulgaria plans to overcome its overwhelming dependence on Russian energy by building new gas pipeline links with neighboring Greece, Romania, Turkey and Serbia, a draft energy strategy showed on Monday.

• July 6, 2010

Recently, much has been made of the notion that EU accession is losing importance for Turkey. But this doesn't mean Ankara is turning its back on Europe, says Bahaeddin Guengoer of Deutsche Welle's Turkish service.

• July 6, 2010

Despite media reports that Turkey would cut diplomatic ties without an Israeli apology over a raid on an aid flotilla to Gaza, the Turkish government has taken a slightly softer tone with an unapologetic Israel.

• July 6, 2010

European leaders have welcomed the election of Bronislaw Komorowski as Poland's new president. Komorowski's party has made eurozone membership for Poland a top priority.

• July 6, 2010

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has visited Azerbaijan to seek a restart of peace talks over Nagorno-Karabakh, repair frayed bilateral ties, and press the oil-rich Caucasus nation on human rights.

• July 5, 2010

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has called for elaborating a new formula of collective security in the Black Sea zone.

• July 5, 2010

Though sometimes overlooked, Azerbaijan’s geopolitical status far outweighs its size. Located just north of Iran and just south of the volatile Caucuses, it sits on the Caspian Sea, astride major oil and gas transshipment routes that avoid Russia.

• July 5, 2010