- Russia is willing to do everything possible to assist the Balkan states in resolving energy problems
- Russia will continue talks on natural gas supplies through the Balkans and the construction of underground gas storage facilities in several Balkan states
- Moscow is interested in expanding gas supply network to reach Macedonia, Albania, southern Serbia and Kosovo
- Russian companies participating in joint energy projects in the Balkans will maintain the highest ecology standards
- the new South Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Europe on the floor of the Black Sea would be beneficial for Europe
- synchronizing energy systems in western, central, and southern Europe with energy systems in CIS countries and the Baltic states is an important area of cooperation in the energy sphere
- Russia is hoping to sign a contract this year on the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant in Bulgaria
* Britain's Treasury chief, Gordon Brown, has been officially announced a new leader of the ruling Labor Party
* The Israeli Cabinet has agreed to transfer several million dollars previously held on frozen PNA accounts in the country to support Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his standoff with Islamist militants, an Israeli radio station said
* The number of foreign workers affected by food poisoning at the construction of a new terminal at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport has risen to 319 people, the local emergency services said
* Britain's departing Prime Minister Tony Blair planned to scupper political career of his bitter rival, Gordon Brown, after the last election two years ago, a leading U.K. daily newspaper said
* The first batch of Russian Mi-17 Hip multi-purpose helicopters has been commissioned by the Iraqi army, an Iraqi newspaper said
* The Italian defense minister, Arturo Parisi, has demanded that NATO troops stop carelessly killing civilians in Afghanistan in the campaign against insurgent Taliban militants, an Italian paper said
* A Russian citizen was reportedly killed and another severely injured Saturday in a bar brawl near a night club in the center of the Chinese capital, Beijing, a Chinese newspaper said
