The U.S. has recognized that the third EU energy package designed to open up the European market for energy resources subsidized from the federal budget. At yesterday’s meeting with members of the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC) U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar stated that the U.S. believes that the third energy package aims to ensure energy security of Europe, and is not against Gazprom, KazMunaiGas and other oil companies.

• December 20, 2012

Iranian delegation headed by Petroleum Minister Rostam Ghasemi is scheduled to visit Turkmenistan in the near future in order to hold talks on issues of mutual interest.

• December 19, 2012

The political situation in Kyrgyzstan has worsened in the light of problems occuring with electricity and gas supplies in the country.

• December 19, 2012

Iran and Turkmenistan today have signed a gas-for-equipment barter deal, Fars reported citing Iranian diplomatic sources. Previously it has been reported that Iran is in debt for about $1 billion to Turkmenistan for gas imports, and is working out on a deal to offer its Central Asian neighbor other commodities, instead of money.

• December 18, 2012

Gazprom wants its two major projects – South Stream and Nord Stream – to be granted exceptions from the EU third energy package, seeking to retain control over their transportation capacity. A new version of an agreement on transnational energy transportation projects will be handed over to the  European Commission on Friday during a Russia-EU summit on energy issues, Russia’s Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said on Monday. The agreement should regulate South Stream and Nord Stream projects instead of the third energy package which is criticized in Russia.

• December 18, 2012

During the thirteenth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the EU and Azerbaijan the sides confirmed their commitment to the negotiations with Turkmenistan on the construction of the Trans-Caspian Pipeline.

• December 17, 2012

Iran plans to sign some new gas export contracts in the near future, the Iranian oil minister announced.

• December 15, 2012

As at 10 December, 2012, customers have concluded 321,000 contracts with Estonian energy company Eesti Energia. According to Margus Rink, Management Board Member at Eesti Energia, the activity of Estonia's residents in choosing their electricity supplier is impressive – in terms of the rate of contracts concluded for the supply of electricity, Estonia is now already ahead of the Nordic countries, the energy company said in a statement.

• December 15, 2012