On 26th and 27th June the Franco-German Institute (Deutsch-Französisches Institut) is organising a conference on France in Europe in co-operation with the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Foundation for Policy Innovation. The Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani will speak on the challenges and priorities facing France's European policy.

On 19th June the 27 Heads of State and Government gave the go-ahead to Slovakia's entry into the euro area on 1st January 2009. The latter will be the 16th country to adopt the single currency and the fourth amongst the new Member States who joined the EU in 2004. The 27 leaders confirmed the progress achieved by Slovakia in terms of respecting the convergence criteria relative to the adoption of the euro. They call on the ECOFIN Council (Economy/Finances) to finalise and adopt the appropriate regulations during their meeting on 8th July so that Slovakia can adopt the euro.

On 17th June the European Union opened two new pre-accession chapters with Croatia and Turkey. For Croatia the two chapters focus on the free movement of workers as well as social policy and employment. In all 20 of the 35 chapters have been opened with Croatia since the start of negotiations in October 2005. For Turkey the two chapters focus on the company law and intellectual property law. This brings the number of chapters opened since the start of talks in October 2005 to eight.

The draft directive relative to common standards and procedures applicable to the return of illegal immigrants was adopted on 18th June, 369 votes in favour, 197 against and 106 abstentions. This directive aims to encourage the voluntary return home of illegal immigrants by harmonising the conditions of return. Member States will have to adopted minimal common standards relative to the treatment of illegal foreigners. A six-month detention period has been established in the directive and anyone who is expelled from the European Union will be prohibited from returning. Member States must however take the situation in the home country into account in virtue of the non-rejection principle. Free legal aid to illegal immigrants without resources is also planned for. A European fund to return home is to be established.

On 17th June the Commission adopted a communication entitled "A Common immigration policy for Europe: principles, actions and tools" and a Policy Plan "Asylum – an integrated approach to protection across the EU". The Communication puts forward ten Common Principles on which to base the common immigration policy, grouped under the three main strands of EU policy: prosperity, solidarity and security. The Policy Plan on Asylum provides for the architecture of the second phase of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Both address the remaining elements on immigration and asylum of The Hague Programme. They should be endorsed by the European Council of 15th October 2008 and will, in the course of 2009, feed into a new five-year Programme in the Justice, Freedom and Security area.

The 27 Foreign Ministers, who met on 16th June spoke of the consequences of the negative referendum in Ireland in view of the discussion between Heads of State and Government during the European Council on 19th and 20th June. They adopted a regulation modifying the regime applicable to merchandise, services and people crossing the Green Line in Cyprus - the line which separates the parts of the country which are under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus and those which are not. They approved the conclusion of a stabilisation and association agreement with Bosnia-Herzegovina was well as an interim agreement with regard to trade and support measures. They stressed that the EU is still resolutely attached to European future of the Western Balkans and encourage these countries to fulfil the required conditions.

In his "Berlin Speech" on 17th June the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Köhler focussed on three complementary themes: work, education and integration. He called for a new reform agenda for 2020 (Agenda 2020) and a review of democratic practise in Germany. The "Berlin Speech" by the German President inaugurated in 1997 by Roman Herzog provides a yearly opportunity to put forward new ideas on a major debate.

Former French Minister and former President of the European Parliament, Simone Veil, received the European Charles V Prize from the King of Spain, Juan Carlos on 18th June in Caceres in the west of Spain - it was granted by the Yuste Foundation. This prize rewards a person for their contribution in the development of "scientific, historic and cultural values" in Europe and "to its unification process," said the Foundation of the European Academy Yuste.

On 19th June as European leaders met in Brussels to discuss the future of the European Union after the Irish "NO" Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves signed the ratification act of the Lisbon Treaty approved by the Tiigikogu (Parliament) 91 votes in favour, one against on 11th June. The Robert Schuman Foundation maintains a regularly updated map detailing the ratification results per country on its internet site.

The Finnish Finance Minister published his new economic bulletin on 18th June. Although Finland is bearing up well in terms of the world economic situation it is however suffering a reduction in growth. This year the growth level is due to remain stable at 2.8% but it is due to fall to 2% next year. Employment remains high whilst an increase in inflation and a drop in competitiveness may damage the country's economic stability. The main challegnes in terms of economic policy involve the reduction of inflationary pressure and the maintenance of as evenly balanced public finances as possible.

On 17th June French President Nicolas Sarkozy, head of the armed forces, presented the main guidelines contained in the new White Paper on defence strategy and national security to 3,500 representatives of the armies, the domestic security services and civil security including 2,500 soldiers and civilians who work in the defence industry.

During a special session on 18th June the 27 Research Ministers unanimously decided to establish the HQ of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology in Budapest. This new organisation will bring together three elements in the "knowledge triangle" namely education, research and innovation. One of its main tasks will comprise stimulating European innovation and contributing to the achievement of innovative ideas, a vital factor to continue the development of the internal market and to rise to the challenges of globalisation. The EIT's activities will rely on a network of excellence, comprising higher education establishments, research institutes and companies whose co-ordination will be ensured by a governing board.

In a speech delivered to the Irish Parliament on 18th June Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen indicated that "the people had spoken" and that the "government had to accept this verdict and manage the national and international situation that arose as a consequence of the "NO" to the referendum." He then recalled what the European Union had brought to Ireland and said that the country was now facing a major challenge. Brian Cowen took advantage of the European Council on 19th and 20th June to meet Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering, with whom he spoke of the consequences of the Irish "NO".

On 18th June the Italian government approved the guidelines of its budgetary programme for the next three years, together with additional taxation on oil company profits entitled 'Robin Hood'. Economy Minister, Giulio Tremonti confirmed that in 2008 public deficit would rise to 2.5% of the GDP instead of 2.4% originally planned, due to low growth forecast at +0.5%, against the initially planned +0.6%. The commitment made with regard to the European Commission to bring the budget to balance in 2011 is "not negotiable" stressed the minister during the press conference.

On 17th June Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende and Belgian Prime Minister, Yves Leterme signed a new Benelux treaty in the Hague. This new treaty written under the Netherlands' Presidency is designed to replace the present treaty signed in 1960 and that will come to an end in 2010. It includes two main objectives: the Benelux countries want to protect their pioneering role in the EU and extend cross-border co-operation especially in areas of the internal market and economic union, sustainable development as well as justice and home affairs.

On 16th June in Gdansk German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of Europe's situation and the progress achieved in terms of Polish-German co-operation with Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk. After the Irish "NO" to the Lisbon Treaty they called for the continuation of the ratification process of the treaty and said that they see no alternative to this text. They rejected the idea of building a European "hard core" or of moving towards a "several tiered Europe" to enable European construction to move forwards. They said they were pleased with the present atmosphere that reigned over Polish-German relations and welcomed the numerous bilateral co-operation projects that are on-going such as the Polish-German Youth Office, the joint German-Polish history manual and co-operation in research.

On 16th June French President Nicolas Sarkozy travelled to Prague on a bilateral visit as well as for a meeting with the member countries of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia). This meeting was notably the occasion to present the French Presidency of the European Union's priorities and to speak of the non-ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by Ireland. The French President met Czech Prime Minister, Mirek Topolanek. They signed a strategic partnership agreement. This partnership aims to provide new impetus to the Franco-Czech relationship by the implementation of in-depth co-operation in all types of areas : policy with regard to the succession of the presidencies of the Council of the Union; economic and commercial, energy, security and defence, cultural and linguistic.

The British House of Lords approved the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by an undetailed oral vote on its third reading on 18th June. The text then received royal approval on 19th June thereby completing the ratification procedure. The House of Commons approved the Treaty on 11th March last. The UK is the 19th EU country to ratify the Treaty and the first to ratify after the Irish "NO" to the referendum. The Robert Schuman Foundation maintains an updated map detailing the ratification results per country on its internet site.

On 16th June the General Affairs/External Relations council approved the work programme of the presidential troika comprising France, the Czech Republic and Sweden; nevertheless it recommended some minor modifications in order to take on board the Irish "NO". This work programme comprises a common strategic framework and a list of measures planned to cover the three presidencies. The five priorities are: climate, energy and the environment; employment, growth and competitiveness; a safer, more transparent Europe; the Baltic Sea area and relations with neighbouring countries; the EU as a world player and the continuation of enlargement. Sweden will establish the priorities of its presidency of the Council of the EU in the second semester of 2009 as from autumn 2008.

In a decision signed by the President of Kosovo on 18th June the opening of the embassies in nine countries has been planned for - in Belgium, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Albania. Moreover heads of mission will be deployed until the appointment of ambassadors by the President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu.

The party of Serb President Boris Tadic and the Socialist Party (SPS) came to an agreement of principle on 21st June in view of forming a government and are due to continue discussions. "A government may be formed shortly," declared President Tadic, head of the Democratic Party (DS).

The Finance Ministers of the G8 countries who met in Osaka on 13th and 14th June to prepare the G8 summit in Japan mid July asked the IMF and the International Energy Agency to analyse the real and financial factors which are at the source of the recent surge in oil prices and basic commodities - their volatility and the effects on the world economy. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, General Director of the IMF announced that this analysis would seek to assess more precisely the possible role played by financial speculation in the world economic crisis; it would be the subject of a report that will be presented at the next annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington in October next. The G8 has asked the IMF to work towards strengthening the international financial system, to improve transparency of the oil market, the standards with regard to sovereign wealth funds, to look into the prices rises in commodities as well as fuel subsidies.

The Deputy Secretary General of the UN's Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe said that he was optimistic about the possibility of seeing an agreement with regard to the reunification of Cyprus that has been divided for over 30 years. "I really do think that we are on our way to finding a means to achieve success this time," he said during a press conference on 18th June in Nicosia after his visit to the Mediterranean island. The day before the conference he met separately with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias and the leader of the northern part of the island, Mehmet Ali Talat, to discuss the state of reunification negotiations.

On 17th June NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer promised in Kiev to work for a consensus between the 26 NATO member countries to achieve official candidate status for the Ukraine in December next in view of its accession to the Atlantic Alliance.

According to Eurostat figures published on 17th June the first estimate for the euro area trade balance with the rest of the world in April 2008 gave a 2.3 bn euro surplus, compared with +2.0 bn in April 2007. The March 2008 balance was -1.5 bn, compared with +7.5 bn in March 2007. In April 2008 compared with March 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 6.2% and imports by 3.6%.

The first results of a post-referendum survey in Ireland undertaken by Eurobarometer reveal that 52% of the Irish electorate who did not vote speak of a lack of understanding of the problems set by this referendum. 38% of them say that they did not have time to vote on that day and 37% say that they were not informed of the treaty's content. Amongst the reasons mentioned for voting positively, 32% say that it was in Ireland's interest, 19% for the advantages they have drawn from the Union and 9% for the economic development of Ireland. In addition to this 68% of the electorate say that the campaign for the "NO" was more convincing, 15% say the opposite. Finally 55% of the electorate took their decision in the last weeks of the campaign.

On 18th June the Network of European Consumer Centres(ECC-Net), published its Annual Report for 2007, helping more than 55.000 consumers with information and advice on cross border shopping, both in person and online, ensuring that they are aware of their rights, and providing support in handling complaints. Consumers increasingly turn to the ECCs for help, with an increase of 5000 contacts since 2006. In 2007, most complaints tackled by ECCs concerned contract terms (25%), product and service (22,4%), and delivery (20%). The sectors mostly concerned were air transport and car rental, internet scams and fake lotteries, and non delivery of audiovisual products. More than half of complaints concerned on-line transactions (55%).

The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has just published a paper entitled "Weltverträgliche Energiesicherheitspolitik" (A world compatible energy security policy) in its series "Internationale Politik".

In support of the French Presidency of the European Union the Senate is hosting an exhibition of "Images d'Europe" from 20th June to 15th July. This exhibition that was designed for the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaties and which is being shown under the high patronage of the Presidency of the Italian Republic is an opportunity to present the French public with the wealth of the oldest Italian photographic funds: Fratelli Alinari.