According to preliminary results, most votes in the local elections of 27th February were won by the opposition social democrats – 21.4%. The left for the past three years have been criticising the policy of governing the conservatives/Christian democrats and of the extremely unpopular prime minister and the party leader Andrius Kubilius.  Victory for the left, however, is not overwhelming. READ MORE

Estonia's center-right government has claimed victory in Sunday's election after a record number of e-votes. The ruling coalition has won credit for ending a recession and overseeing a successful transition to the euro. READ MORE

Lithuania and Norway foster similar foreign policy objectives and aim to intensify bilateral political and economic relations. This was agreed on 8 March in Vilnius, by Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. READ MORE

While the Pentagon tightens its financial belt, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has hinted at reducing American troop levels in Europe. However, Washington must reconcile a smaller force with traditional NATO obligations. READ MORE

Ashkhabad and Baku Start with Evaluation of Ecologic Risks. READ MORE

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed Washington's plans to deploy missile defenses and Air Force units in Poland. READ MORE

NATO has a pipeline system designed to ensure that its requirements for petroleum products and their distribution can be met at all times. READ MORE

It seems like the 18-year negotiations on Russia’s entry to the WTO are coming to an end. Moscow is also at the end of completing its membership; the only obstacle is Georgia’s position blocking the move. The Kremlin however thinks that it can overcome Georgia’s stubborn resistance and that the West will persuade Georgia to allow Moscow to be admitted. READ MORE

Several pipeline projects are competing with one another to bring to life the southern gas corridor – a vague blueprint to supply Europe with gas from the Caspian and the Middle East. EurActiv takes a look at the various European initiatives, including their common competitor: Russia's South Stream project. READ MORE

At the meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, in Astana in December 2010 the presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan were at pains to downplay the damage that WikiLeaks could cause to the historically close relations between their countries. READ MORE