On 7th June the Senate is organising a "Citizens Meeting" on "Europe, from Herodotus to Erasmus" together with Christian Poncelet, President of the Senate. Jean-Dominique Giuliani, chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation will be speaking at the first round table entitled "the Birth of a European Consciousness."

The EU-Turkey Association Council chaired by Dimitrij Rupel, Slovenian Foreign Minister took place on 27th May. To date Turkey has only opened six chapters as part of its accession negotiations to the Union and has temporarily closed one. Dimitrij Rupel indicated that the Union was closely following measures taken in terms of prohibiting certain political parties. He insisted on the importance of a reliable, transparent legal system as a priority in the democratic process and on the defence of women's, children's and trade union rights. Finally the issue of rights and freedom granted to the Kurd population in the east and south-east of the country was addressed.

A conference on energy effeciency took place on 27th May at the European Parliament in the presence of many personalities such as the President of Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Nobel Prize Winner 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev. Whilst Kofi Annan stressed that climate change was a major problem that may threaten regional balance and the world's food supplies, Mikhail Gorbachev insisted on the need for a new agreement between the Union and Russia. On the previous evening in Parliament the 9th Energy Globe Awards ceremony, which is supported by several artists, presented prizes to local projects that respect the environment. Projects running in the competition were spread across the following categories: Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Youth.

On 28th May the European Commission addressed a recommendation to France with the aim of encouraging it to reduce its budgetary deficit. Whilst lauding the reform procedure initiated by France over the last twelve months, the Commission advises the French government to support this measure with a balanced budget in order to prevent any increase in the debt. According to the Commission "budgetary balance will increase the States' room to manoeuvre by releasing resources for measures that will increase growth." This recommendation is in line with the Stablity and Growth Pact that plans "for the Commission to issue strategic advice which aims to encourge Member States not to go beyond the 3% threshold in terms of their budgetary deficits."

Co-operation development was one of the main issues addressed during the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26th and 27th May. The 27 Foreign Ministers say they believe that the Millenium Goals for Development can be achieved in all areas of the world. During the debate they adopted conclusions with regard to the promotion and protection of children's rights as part of the EU's external actions. Finally they adopted a negotiation mandate in view of a new framework agreement between the EU and Russia which will replace the old partnership and co-operation agreement that came to an end in December 2007. The EU-Russia Summit on 26th and 27th June should provide both parties with an opportunity to welcome the launch of negotiations and to inaugurate the new phase in their relations.

In a report dedicated to the 10 year anniversary of the institution, the European Central Bank (ECB) asked Member States of the Euro Area on 29th May to think more about the community's interests in their domestic policy decisions. "Although integration continues to move forwards in the euro area policies defined nationally must take the community's obligations more into account." In the bank's opinion many States "still need to improve their levels of flexibility and their ability to adapt to disruption" - ie countries have to continue the in-depth reform of their labour markets and the movement of products.

In an interview published on 20th May by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, German Home Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble said he believed that "relations between the State and religious communities will still play a major role in the 21st century." Just as many European countries are looking into the role Islam and Muslims play in their society, he pleads for a strategy based on dialogue and the acquisition of better mutual knowledge.

In an interview in the Austrian daily "Der Kurier" published on 30th May French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that the "Franco-German motor " in the European Union "was still vital today" but "it was not enough". In his opinion "in a Europe of 27 we need all the energy and good will possible. Franco-German impetus should not be exclusive nor should it replace another." He also suggested that Austria "is a geographical and cultural bridge between all Europe's - north and south, east and west." The French President travelled to Austria on 30th May. He met with Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, to discuss topical issues as France is due to take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1st July.

Although the exemption clauses (justice, citizenship, euro, defence) which Denmark enjoys within the EU seem to make the function of "President of the Union" an impossibility for Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, he is still the favourite for the position of Secretary General of NATO in replacement of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the end of next year, according to Danish newspaper "Politiken". The appointment of this post is due to take place after the appointment of candidates to the positions of President of the Union and High Representative. According to anonymous sources it is "the Scandinavians'" turn to lead the Atlantic Alliance.

The Spanish Association of Periodical Editors - one of the biggest press trade unions in Spain rallying dailies, weeklies and monthlies - awarded French President Nicolas Sarkozy with its 'Personality of the Year 2007' prize on 28th May. This annual prize was delivered during a ceremony in Madrid together with the Ambassador for France in Spain.

On 29th May Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen travelled to Warsaw where he met his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk. The two men discussed European Affairs such as the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, energy and climate issues, the European strategy for the Baltic Sea, the neighbourhood policy and EU-Russia relations. They addressed regional and bilateral economic issues. Matti Vanhanen also met the presidents of both Polish chambers, Bronislaw Komorowski(Sejm)and Bogdan Borusewicz (Senate).

The Parliamentary Group on Space chaired by Pierre Lasbordes MP is organising a seminiar on 5th June at the National Assembly on "Space at the service of European Citizens". The seminar which was inaugurated by Valérie Pecresse, Research Minister, re-iterated what was at stake in terms of the space issue in Europe.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs has said that it is in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. In the report it delivered on 29th May, after six months of deliberation the all-Party Committee believes that the Treaty achieves its objectives of enhancing the efficiency, democratic legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the enlarged Union. In particular, it considers that the Treaty will strengthen democratic control of the EU decision-making process by upgrading the role of National Parliaments, while at the same time promoting the directly-elected European Parliament to the role of co-legislator with the Council of Ministers. It is satisfied that Ireland's red lines on foreign policy, including neutrality and on corporate taxation are secure, and that the opt-out/in arrangements the Government obtained in the criminal justice area will protect Ireland's legal system. . Furthermore, it is confident that unanimity will continue to be required for any future Treaty changes and that these will remain subject to ratification by each Member State in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

Silvio Berlusconi's government adopted a draft law on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by Parliament on 30th May. Italian diplomatic chief, Franco Frattini insisted on saying that the government had adopted the draft law unanimously. "The Council of Ministers adopted the draft law for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty unanimously. There is no division with regard to this issue and I hope that Parliament and the opposition will approve this project quickly and with a comfortable wide majority.

On 29th May Luxembourg ratified the Lisbon Treaty. Out of 60 MPs 51 were present. 47 voted in favour, one against and three abstained. Luxembourg became the 15th EU Member State to complete the parliamentary ratification procedure of the Lisbon Treaty. The Robert Schuman Foundation updates regularly a map detailing the results of the ratifications country by country on its internet site.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy travelled to Warsaw on 28th May to take part in the 2nd Franco-Polish Summit as a follow-up to the meeting that took place in Arras in February 2005. After speaking with his counterpart Lech Kaczynski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk he delivered a speech to both Polish Chambers. He announced that on 1st July next France, a year ahead of the planned schedule, will open its labour market to citizens of the eight countries of Central and Eastern Europe which joined the Union on 1st May 2004. He also announced that in September the EU will put forward "an ambitious partnership" to the Ukraine, a country which Poland would like to join the EU and NATO. Finally he signed a political declaration and an action plan for a strategic partnership between France and Poland.

30,000 Georgians calmly demonstrated on 26th May in Tbilissi to condemn the victory of the ruling power in the general elections that took place on 21st May - they support the decision taken by the main opposition party to boycott the new parliament. Levan Gatchetchiladze called on supporters to prevent Parilament from meeting condemning the 'false' electoral results. Georgian President Mikhail Saakachvili whose party won 120 of the 150 seats in Parliament called on the opposition for dialogue during a televised speech.

The VMRO-DPMNE led by outgoing Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski easily won the early general elections on June 1st. This election was marked by violent incidents that led to the death of one person and the injury of nine others although the election was considered to be a test of the country's political maturity. Voting had to be interrupted in Aracinovo and in around 20 other polling stations. The European Union condemned the violence and Javier Solana asked for the organisation of another election in the polling stations where the incidents took place. The European Commission indicated in a press release that it was "concerned by the use of violence during the country's elections." This may delay accession negotiations. The Macedonian President, Branko Crvenkovski condemned the violence saying that "it did not have its place in a democratic society."

European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, welcomed the transmission of the Roadmap on visa liberalisation to Montenegrin Foreign Affairs Minister Milan Rocen on 28th May. This is the first step towards the relaxation of the visa regime. Since 1st January 2008 Montenegrin citizens have benefited from certain advantages associated with the procedure facilitation agreement for visas signed with the EU. Dialogue has been on-going since February 2008 with regard to the facilitation of the visa regime.

On 29th May Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin travelled to Paris where he met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy as well as his counterpart, François Fillon. Energy was the focus of discussions. Vladimir Putin would like economic relations between Russia and the EU to involve more products and technologies of added value and less primary materials. It is the first foreign visit undertaken by the former Russian president, who met former French president, Jacques Chirac, the following day.

On the occasion of the plenary session in Strasbourg, the Congress adopted the "European Urban Charter II: Manifesto for a New Urbanity." This Manifesto conveys an ambitious and demanding message to local elected representatives, to citizens and to all those involved in urban development. It updates the Urban Charter of 1992 "to implement in public policy, re-generative ethical governance, a change in practices with a view to sustainable development and greater solidarity." In its recommendation and resolution adopted on 28th May the Congress calls on local authorities and governments to apply these principles in the measures and public policies to build a Europe with sustainable, cohesive towns at the services of its citizens.

The UN Observation Mission in Georgia published its report on 26th May on the Georgian reconnaissance drone that was brought down over Abkhazia. The report concludes that the plane that brought the drone down belonged the Russian Armed Forces and stresses the importance of the Moscow Agreement that says that it is up to the peacekeeping forces of the Community of Independent States to proceed to the separation of the Georgian and Abkhazian forces. Given this UNOMIG believes that any act by a third party, in this case the Russian Federation, in the area of conflict is fundamentally against the Moscow Agreement. UNOMIG repeats that the drone's flight over the area of conflict was also an infringement of the agreement by Georgia. The Russian Foreign Minister formally rejected these observations.

According to Eurostat figures published on 30th May euro area annual inflation is expected to be 3.6% in May 2008. It was 3.3% in April. Inflation in the euro area has accelerated to reach an historic level since its creation in 1999. This new rise in consumer prices is beyond the limit accepted by the European Central Bank (ECB) whose mid-term aim is to achieve an inflation rate slightly lower than 2% in the euro area.

According to the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) which presented its results in Brussels on 27th May it is vital for the Member States to step up their fight against cyber-threats to protect the European economy.

The latest edition of the review "Questions Internationales" is dedicated to the future of Europe and notably looks into relations between the EU and other major world powers, the renewal of the Union's institutions, the drivers of and the impediments facing the construction of Europe, Europe and globalisation, the internal market, the future of the European foreign policy, the Mediterranean policy and the Franco-German relationship. The edition reviews a great number of maps and tables from the Schuman Report 2008 on the State of the Union" which was published in February by Editions Lignes de Repères.

As part of the Croisements Festival the troop from the Free Theatre in Minsk (a troop formed in opposition to the dictatorial regime in Belarus) will perform its most recent work "Jeans Generation" from 3rd to 7th June at the Studio Theatre in Paris. The story starts in the Soviet Union where jeans and rock music were banned. The plot develops progressively moving on from this period to the present Belarus dictatorial regime via stories of the arrest of the hero and his friends.