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

Normal life is disrupted in parts of India as opposition parties begin a 12-hour strike over fuel price increases.

• July 5, 2010

Bronislaw Komorowski, the candidate of Poland's ruling pro-business Civic Platform party, will win Sunday's presidential run-off election, according to exit polls.

• July 5, 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