CYPRUS’S finance minister pleaded with Russia for help on Wednesday to avert a financial meltdown after the island's parliament rejected the terms of a European bailout, raising the spectre of a looming default and bank crash.

• Date: 20.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 20.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from independent.ie

On February 12, Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych paid a three-day visit to gas-rich Turkmenistan to sign a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation and reiterate Kyiv’s interest in resuming direct imports of the Central Asian country’s natural gas, which were suspended in 2006 (Interfax-Ukraine, February 14).

• Date: 20.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 20.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from jamestown.org

In all the noise of tomorrow’s Budget, many may not spot a small tweak to the fiscal regime for UK oil and gas. Those of us with a close interest in unconventional oil and gas, however, will be watching closely. Last year the Chancellor announced a consultation on a specific tax regime for onshore shale gas development, the results of which are expected on Wednesday.

• Date: 19.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 19.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from spectator.co.uk

Ukraine intends to obtain observer status in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, the country's premier has announced.

• Date: 19.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 19.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from interfax.com.ua

Chairman of the Riga Shipyard of the Latvian Republic, Director of the Eiroholdings Company, Vasilijs Melniks, will hold meetings at the State Service of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan and other agencies, State News Agency Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary (TDH) reported on Tuesday.

• Date: 19.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 19.03.2013  |  External Relations  |  from trend.az

China said on Monday U.S. plans to bolster missile defenses in response to provocations by North Korea would only intensify antagonism, and urged Washington to act prudently

• Date: 18.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2013  |  External Relations  |  from reuters.com

Putin warns proposed levy on bank deposits in Cyprus, a favoured offshore haven for Russian big business, would be dangerous

• Date: 18.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from guardian.co.uk

Kazakhstan could divert its natural gas supplies from the largest deposit in Karachaganak to China if it fails to sign a contract with Russia.

• Date: 18.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from russia-ic.com