Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has reportedly signed a major energy deal in Slovenia during a visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Putin met with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor and President Danilo Turk in Ljubljana.
The talks focused on clearing up financial hurdles for the South Stream pipeline project that would transport Russian natural gas under the Black Sea with one arm going through Slovenia when completed in 2015.
With many details of the project still open, the two sides signed an agreement to form a joint venture to construct and manage the Slovenian section of the pipeline.
Putin is due in Belgrade on March 23 for more talks on the South Stream project.
compiled from agency and media reports