EU leaders pledge to create single energy market, reduce bloc's dependency on Russian oil, gas

European Union leaders say they want to create a single energy market, in part to reduce the bloc's reliance on oil and gas from Russia.

There has been growing concern among some European countries that Russia is using its position as one of Europe's biggest energy suppliers to exert political pressure on individual nations, particularly amid mounting tensions with Moscow over its actions in eastern Ukraine.

The energy union envisaged by the heads of state and government from the EU's 28 members would also seek to increase transparency in the gas market, improve energy efficiency and help reduce carbon emissions.

The pledge came at a summit Thursday in Brussels.