Azerbaijan agreed to export at least 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to Iran, its southern neighbor, the day before meetings with the European Union on a new fuel transit corridor.

• January 13, 2011

European leaders said Wednesday Belarus could face stiff sanctions if dissidents arrested after the disputed election remain in prison.

• January 13, 2011

Ukraine in 2010 cut export of electric energy to the European countries by 59.4 percent against 2009 to 1.173 billion kWh, the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry said

• January 13, 2011

China effectively rejected Iran's invite to tour Tehran's nuclear facilities on Thursday, potentially smoothing a source of friction ahead of President Hu Jintao's state visit to the United States next week.

• January 13, 2011

China would welcome assurance about the security of its financial assets in the United States, a senior diplomat said ahead of President Hu Jintao's visit next week, while playing down rifts between the two powers.

• January 12, 2011

A long-stalled civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Russia and the United States entered into force on Tuesday in a milestone for the "reset" in relations between the former Cold War foes.

• January 12, 2011

The opposition in Belarus, determined to continue the pro-democracy movement despite the violent crackdown after the presidential election on Dec. 19, began lobbying the European Union on Tuesday to adopt a new strategy: cutting contacts with the leadership while strengthening nongovernmental organizations.

• January 12, 2011

A senior official of the European Union, Stefan Fuele, warned Ukraine on Tuesday not to use criminal law for political ends, a clear reference to the prosecution of Yulia V. Tymoshenko, a former prime minister.

• January 12, 2011