With the support of outgoing President Robert Kotcharian and Prosperous Armenia (BHK) led by Gagik Tsarukian, the party of the presidential majority, outgoing Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian (Republican Party HHK) won the presidential election that took place in Armenia on 19th February 2008, winning 53.17% of the vote and therefore the absolute majority in the first round. The former Armenian president (1991-1998), Levon Ter-Petrossian, came second with 21.63% of the vote. He was followed by Artur Baghdasarian, leader of the opposition party, Rule of Law, (OE), who won 16.76% and Vahan Hovhannisian (Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun, HHD) 6.21%.

The Governing Board of the European Police College (CEPOL) discussed and adopted the 2009 work programme and draft budget on 20th February. In 2009, CEPOL will carry out 84 training events (seminars, courses and conferences) in different areas of police work, particularly crime prevention and cross-border police cooperation in the field of organised crime and cyber crime investigation. Special attention will be dedicated to the evaluation of training and its influence on everyday policing, as well as to the introduction of common programmes into Member States' education processes and to e-learning.

The report by Ignasi Guardans (ADLE, ES) on the European strategy with regard to companies' access to external markets was adopted on 19th February. This strategy will facilitate the opening of markets and the improvement of the European Union's role in the world together with its ability to protect and create jobs. The EU has to stand firm in terms of the respect of international agreements by third countries. To this effect MEPs are requesting third countries to dismantle all barriers, notably those not related to tariffs and "to apply measures to open up the market in the wake of bilateral, regional and multilateral negotiations." They say that the experience of reciprocity "aims specifically at developed and emerging economies." With regard to this the Robert Schuman Foundation is organising a working seminar on 4th March at the European Parliament on the theme of "Is Europe supporting its companies to export?" with Ignasi Guardans and David O'Sullivan, Director General for External Trade at the European Commission in attendance.

The joint report on employment that will be adopted by Ministers on 29th February says last year the growth rate in employment was impressive. Over the last two years nearly 6.5 million jobs were created and five million additional jobs were expected by 2009. Unemployment in the European Union is due to drop below the 7% mark in 2008, corresponding to the lowest level ever reached since the mid-1980's.

The 27 Agriculture Ministers, who met on 18th February debated the orientation of the "health check" of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). They did not come to an agreement on the requests for approval of five new types of genetically modified organisms (GMO) (four types of corn and one variety of potato) whilst the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has given favourable opinions with regard to the five GMO's and concluded that it was improbable that these products would have undesirable effects on human or animal health or on the environment.

Luxembourg Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker received the German Citizen's Prize on 19th February in reward for his "eminent merit with regard to European reunification." "From the euro to the new European Treaty together with sensitive matters in which he played a major role as an intermediary and mediator, Jean-Claude Juncker has helped make European construction an irreversible process," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In his speech Mr Juncker said that "Europe could be proud of what it has achieved over the last fifty years. Peace and stability are never obvious - these are conquests we should be glad of." The German Citizen's Prize has been given since 1995 by the Bad Harzburg Foundation to personalities who have provided eminent services to society.

On 19th February Austrian Home Minister, Günther Platter met French Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development Minister, Brice Hortefeux who had come to present the draft European Immigration Pact. After the meeting he said that both Austria and France "were on the same wavelength during discussions on the European Immigration Pact."

On 19th February the Belgian government confirmed its participation in the European force EUFOR responsible for ensuring the protection of refugees in Darfur in Chad and Central Africa. Belgian soldiers will integrate the command structure and a transport plane pilot for a Hercules C-130 will be provided at the end of March until end of April. The Belgian contingent comprising 130 people in the initial phase and 70 once the operation has gathered full speed, will be placed under the control of EUFOR command. The duration of this commitment will be one year in line with the EUFOR mandate.

Demetris Christofias, head of the Communist Party (AKEL) won the second round of the presidential election on 24th February. According to the final official results he won 53.37% of the vote in comparison with 46.63% for former Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides (DISY).

On 19th February French Prime Minister, François Fillon travelled to the European Parliament to present the priorties of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2008 to MEPs in the PPE and PSE groups. Amongst the priorities laid out by the Head of Government featured an agreement on climatic change, a European immigration and asylum pact and the securing of energy supplies.

On 19th February the Polish government approved the draft law for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty that is to be submitted to both chambers in Parliament, (Sejm and Senate). During a press conference Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, declared that he hoped for a rapid and smooth ratification process. The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in Poland requires the majority of two thirds which, according to declarations on the part of the political parties, should be achieved easily.

Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates received his French counterpart, François Fillon in Lisbon on 22nd February as part of the 3rd High Level Meeting. They said they "shared the same opinion" about the priorities France intends to adopt during its presidency of the European Union in the second semester of 2008. Both countries agree to adopt "a concerted strategy" in the face of threats caused by the American financial crisis on the European economy. They also called for a "new means of maritime governance" and the creation of "maritime highways" to lighten European road traffic. Finally they signed an agreement on the mutual acknowledgement of diplomas.

On 21st February Romanian President Traian Basescu received his Serb counterpart Boris Tadic in Bucharest. Boris Tadic confirmed his aim to protect Serbia's territorial integrity whilst rejecting the possibility of another war and diplomatic isolation. The Serb President believes that the solution is still his country's accession to the European Union.

On his first official visit to Brussels on 21st February British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said that his country will be 'at the centre of Europe.' Calling for an acceleration in reforms to strengthen the Union's competitiveness, he said he hoped to move debate over to vital issues such as the economy and the environment. During a press conference he said that the "European Union is vital for the UK's success and the UK is vital for the success of the European Union," and he denounced calls by eurosceptics in Britain for the UK to withdraw from the Union. "It is clear that at the present time of world uncertainty we should never bring the stability of our relationship with the European Union or our belonging to the European Union into doubt," he concluded.

Before the Swedish Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2009 and as part of the debate on the future of Europe, Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt spoke to European Parliament on 19th February. He pleaded in favour of a "strong Europe" adding that "it is a weak Europe we should fear." He insisted on future challenges : climate change, the Lisbon Strategy, the budget, demography, terrorism, enlargement. He announced the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Swedish Parliament in the autumn of 2008.

On 19th February Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian was elected president of the republic in the first round of the election winning 53.17% of the vote, followed by Levon Ter-Petrossian, former president between 1991 to 1998, with 21.63%. Arthur Baghdasarian won 16.67%. Mr Sarkisian succeeded Robert Kotcharian who could not stand for a third term in office.

One week after the proclamation of independence by Kosovo the new State was officially acknowledged by 18 countries including 10 from the European Union: Germany, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, UK and Slovenia - as well as Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, USA, Senegal, Taiwan and Turkey. The countries firmly against acknowledgement are Cyprus, Spain, Romania, China, Georgia, Moldava, Russia, Serbia, Venezuela and Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister of Macedonia (FYRM), Nikola Gruevski indicated on 20th February that a referendum on the country's official name may be organised. UN envoy, Matthew Nimetz has put forward a dual name for this state. He suggests that Macedonia should only retain its present constitutional name "Republic of Macedonia" within its own borders and in bilateral relations with countries that would like to do so. Simultaneously it would be granted an "official international name". The five proposals are: "Democratic Republic of Macedonia", "Constitutional Republic of Macedonia", "Independent Republic of Macedonia," "Republic of Upper Macedonia", and "Northern Republic of Macedonia". Greece, which is threatening to impede this country joining NATO in April, now accepts a composite name bearing the term "Macedonia" but is against any type of dual appellation.

Milo Djukanovic will become the Prime Minister of Montenegro for the fifth time in replacement of Zeljko Sturanovic who resigned for health reasons.

On the occasion of a massive demonstration in Belgrade on 21st February against Kosovo's independence Serb Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica recalled that Serbia would cancel any act taken by "an illegal, fictious State created by force within its territory," and as long as Serbia existed "it would not accept the creation of an entity that had emerged in violation of the principles on which the civilised world was founded," in accordance with the decision approved by the Serb parliament on 18th February. During this demonstration the US Embassy in Belgrade was set on fire. In all outbreaks of violence were observed in front of several other embassies in Belgrade causing injury to 90 people, including at least 32 policemen. The UN Security Council condemned the violence committed against the embassies and recalled the immunity principle with regard to diplomatic missions.

Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Timoshenko and her Russian counterpart Viktor Zubkov said on 20th February that they had promised to implement the gas agreement in order to solve the crisis that has been growing between the two countries for the last few years.

According to Eurostat figures released on 19th February in the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the European Union in December 2007 compared with the previous month. In November, production decreased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the European Union. Production in the construction sector grew in eight Member States and decreased in four. The highest increases were recorded in Slovakia (+5.4%), Poland (+5.1%) and Sweden (+2.3%); the highest decreases were in the UK (-15.6%), Slovenia (-8.7%) and the Netherlands (-2.4%).

The German review 'Internationale Politik' has dedicated its February issue to the change in power in Russia. Russians are to elect their president on 2nd March. Whilst Time Magazine declared Putin "Personality of the Year 2007" the German review reflects on the leader's power, his stability and his status as a world power.

As Franco-Colombian, Ingrid Betancourt entered her seventh year in captivity on 24th February Choiseul editions published a book by Pascal Drouhaud on the confessions of the former Farc guerilla, Esteban Avila (FARC, Confessions of a Guerilla). After spending thirty years in the jungle organising and taking part in armed combat, Esteban Avila talks freely of what goes behind the scenes of the FARC organisation, the reasons that made men and women join the movement. He describes the daily life of hostages, promiscuity, diseases, and the life Ingrid Betancourt has led over the last six years.

The Frankfurt Museum of Art is holding an exhibition until June 1st on "Impressionist Women". The exhibition reviews women's contribution to the impressionist movement via a series of 140 paintings by artists such as Berthe Morisot, friend and model to Manet, who was very much liked by critics, the American artist Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzales, Manet's student and Marie Bracquemond, wife of Félix Bracquemond.