The EU signed a major political deal yesterday to import Azeri natural gas and help curb Europe's reliance on Russia, its traditional main supplier.

• January 17, 2011

On a visit to Azerbaijan yesterday (13 January), European Commission President José Manuel Barroso signed a deal expected to bring ten billion cubic metres of gas each year to Europe, promising in return "visa facilitation" for Azeri nationals.

• January 17, 2011

A Joint Declaration on Southern Gas Corridor signed by the European Commission and Azerbaijan provides a firm political basis for gas supply from Azerbaijan, the official statement of Nabucco Gas Pipeline International says.

• January 17, 2011

• January 17, 2011

Estonia strengthened its energy independence for decades to come by signing on Friday a euro950 million ($1.3 billion) contract to build power stations, the largest investment in the Baltic state's 20-year history.

• January 15, 2011

At a meeting with the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Ashgabat, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov described the construction of a pipeline under the Caspian Sea as the "most attractive" way to deliver Turkmen gas to Europe.

• January 15, 2011

Ukraine’s vast coal sector has long been characterized by too much state ownership, too little development and some deadly mine disasters.

• January 14, 2011

Iran’s proposal for a diplomatic tour of its nuclear sites floundered on Thursday after China effectively rejected the invitation and Russia said such a trip could never replace United Nations inspections or negotiations with world powers.

• January 14, 2011