The European Union passed a series of stringent sanctions against Belarus this morning amid growing anger from the international community over the former Soviet republic’s increasingly pariah status.

• June 21, 2011

China is planning to establish two free trade zones in regions bordering Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, Chinese ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Wan Kaiwan was quoted as saying by the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency on Monday.

• June 20, 2011

It would cost at least $3.5 billion to update the natural gas transmission network through Ukraine, an official at state utility Naftogaz said from Kiev.

• June 20, 2011

The European Commission has urged Bulgaria to implement the bloc's directive on waste management, ensure full compliance with the rules on public procurement contracts and promote the use of energy efficient vehicles.

• June 18, 2011

The U.S. Westinghouse Electric Company wants to invest in the Visaginas nuclear power plant because America supports Lithuania's aspirations to gain energy independence, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Anne Derse said.

• June 18, 2011

Director of oil consumers' organisation makes bold invitation to major producer in bid to settle dispute over responsibility for high fuel prices

• June 18, 2011

Gas producers in Central Asia will be able to pump 65 billion cubic metres to China by 2013, the Kazakh Oil and Gas Ministry said on Thursday, raising its forecast for pipeline capacity by more than 60 percent.

• June 17, 2011

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he is ready to close the country's borders if the poor economic situation in the country descends into full-scale crisis.

• June 17, 2011