What Robert Schuman, who left us exactly 60 years ago, did in 1950, was wildly audacious, recalls Jean-Dominique Giuliani. Today, Europe must find a second wind and invest massively, everywhere.

Europe has changed... This is the message of the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2023", which analyses the profound changes taking place in Europe, accelerated by the shock of the war in Ukraine. This 17th edition, published by Marie B., features 19 contributions from leading figures, including Nicolas Goetzmann. The book includes 30 original maps and a full set of commented statistics. The book is available in French, and in English in digital format. Order your copy now!

On September 4 1963, Robert Schuman, one of the Fathers of Europe, died at the age of 77. On the Foundation's website, you can find texts and videos tracing the life and political work of Robert Schuman, including the text of his declaration of May 9, 1950. You can also buy his only book, "For Europe".

Former Prime Minister Robert Fico's SMER-SD (Direction-Social Democracy) would come out ahead in Slovakia's early elections on September 30, with 17.8% of the vote, ahead of Progressive Slovakia (PS), with 17.5%, and 22 other parties. The number of parties entering Parliament will be decisive in building a future majority. Robert Fico could come out on top but not find any allies.

Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans resigned on August 22 after being nominated to lead the Social Democrats and Greens list in the Dutch elections on November 22. On August 29, the Commission President proposed that Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra become Commissioner for Climate Action, under the aegis of Maros Sefcovic, who will become Executive Vice-President responsible for the Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

On August 28, the Commission presented its proposal on fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea for 2024, including salmon, cod and herring.

The European Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force on August 25 for the largest digital platforms. It will apply to all platforms on February 17, 2024. Its aim is to combat illegal content and protect consumers.

Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (FR, Renew), elected in 2019 and member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, passed away on August 9. She is succeeded by Catherine Amalric-Michalet.

Foreign Ministers, meeting in Toledo on August 30 and 31, supported the quest for a fair peace in Ukraine and the plans of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger after the coup d'état. They also discussed Ukraine's and the Western Balkans' bid to join the European Union. The Defence Ministers, meeting on August 30, discussed military aid to Ukraine, in particular a fund of up to €5 billion a year until 2027. They also discussed the security situation in the Sahel after the coups d'état that took place this summer.

On August 3, the Council adopted sanctions against a further 38 individuals and 3 entities for their involvement in serious human rights violations in Belarus. It extended the export bans to firearms, the aviation sector and the space industry. On August 8, on the third anniversary of the rigged 2020 presidential election, the European Union once again called on the regime to put an end to repression and engage in a genuine and inclusive dialogue with all components of society, leading to the holding of free and fair elections".

On August 18, the Commission published its annual reports on the political and economic situation in Hong Kong, where it notes the continuing decline in fundamental freedoms, and in Macao, where it highlights the risks to these freedoms arising from the growing importance attached to national security.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, spoke on August 25 at the annual meeting of Central Bank heads in Jackson Hole, USA. She stressed that changes in the global economy " are paving the way for larger relative price shocks than before the pandemic".

On August 22, People's Party (PP) leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo was asked by King Felipe VI to try to form a government. Although he came out ahead in the July 23 elections, he does not hold a majority in Parliament, where the investiture debate will be held on September 26 and 27. On August 17, Francina Armengol (PSOE) was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies in the first round of voting.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered his annual address to ambassadors on August 28. He recalled the challenges posed to international order by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and reiterated his opposition to the coup d'état in Niger. He reasserted the need for the European Union to develop its strategic autonomy, and defended the idea of a multi-speed Union. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an ambitious EU budget to prepare for future enlargements. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also took part.

Meeting in Athens on August 21st to mark the 20th anniversary of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the Thessaloniki Declaration, the leaders of the countries of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, together with the Presidents of the European Commission and Council, condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine and reasserted their commitment to the enlargement of the Union.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hosted his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni on August 31. The two leaders discussed relations between their two countries, particularly in the economic and energy fields. They also discussed the European Union's migration policy.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Kariņs resignation was tendered on August 17, due to disagreements within the ruling coalition. On August 24, President Edgars Rinkevics tasked Social Welfare Minister Evika Siliņa with forming a new government. Like Krisjanis Karins, she belongs to the New Unity (JV) party.

At the Bled Strategy Forum on August 28, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, argued that the European Union should set itself the goal of enlarging to include all candidate countries by 2030. He stressed the importance of respecting the rule of law and resolving the bilateral conflicts inherited from the past, and proposed a "gradual and progressive integration" into European policies.

On September 1, the Commission adopted a proposal to incorporate roaming into the Association Agreement between the European Union and Moldova. Once all the necessary steps have been taken, Moldovan citizens coming to the EU will be able to use their cell phones under the same tariff conditions as if they were in Moldova, while EU travellers will enjoy the same rights when visiting Moldova.

The third summit of the Crimea Platform was held in Kyiv on August 23. Participants reiterated their support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, and their refusal to acknowledge the annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

On August 20, the Netherlands and Denmark announced that they would be delivering American F-16 aircraft to Ukraine over the next few months. On August 24, Norway announced its intention to do the same. Greece and Portugal have declared their readiness to take part in a training program for Ukrainian pilots.

Annual inflation stood at 5.3% in August in the eurozone, stable compared with July, according to the estimate published by Eurostat on August 31.

In the second quarter, GDP rose by 0.3% in the eurozone and remained stable in the European Union at 0.2%, according to the estimate published by Eurostat on August 16. At the same time, the number of people in employment rose by 0.2% in both the eurozone and the EU. The unemployment rate continued to fall in July, dropping to 6.4% in the eurozone and 5.9% in the EU.

The "Visa pour l'image" international photojournalism festival is running in Perpignan until September 17. A selection of the best subjects from around the world is on show. For those unable to attend in Perpignan, it will be possible to take a virtual tour of most of the exhibitions on the "Visa pour l'Image" website.

From September 7 to 16, Paris Design Week offers a cross-disciplinary vision of design in the broadest sense, from furniture creation to graphic design, interior architecture, decorative arts and even gastronomy.

The 80th Venice International Film Festival will run until September 9. The jury is presided over by Franco-American director Damien Chazelle.

The George Enescu Music Festival will be held in Bucharest until September 24, with the participation of orchestras and musicians from all over the world.

Until January 21, 2024, Basel's Kunstmuseum presents the exhibition "Matisse, Derain and their friends", about Fauvism, the Parisian avant-garde of 1904-1908.

The Europe on Stage theater festival will take place in the Austrian capital, Vienna, from September 6 to 24, focusing on the art of metamorphosis.

On September 9 and 10, the German city of Cologne is organizing more than 500 events in 150 venues around the city's monuments.

The five finalists for the LUX Audience Award 2024, organized by the European Parliament, were announced on September 1. They are "20,000 Species of Bees", "Fallen Leaves", "Sur l'Adamant", "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood" and "The Teachers' Lounge". Citizens can rate them on the prize platform. The winner will be announced in March 2024.

The exhibition "L'atelier de Léonard - La Vierge des rochers", in Agrigento until December 31, presents one of the three versions of Leonardo da Vinci's painting.

The 10th Rugby World Cup, hosted by France, kicks off on September 8 with the France-New Zealand match. 20 teams are competing. The final will take place on October 28.