The "Agriculture and Fisheries" Council that met on 17th and 18th November came to a political agreement on the CAP Health Check. With regard to this the Robert Schuman Foundation has published a study by Nicolas-Jean Bréhon entitled "The time for European Agriculture to make a choice: why should we believe in the CAP?". This contribution to the CAP Health Check is prefaced by Joseph Daul, chairman of the EPP/ED group in the European Parliament.

On 27th and 28th November the French Institute for International Relations and the Franco-Austrian Centre for Europe are organising a conference under the high patronage of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Austrian President Heinz Fischer entitled "L'Union européenne en devenir: nouveaux défis - nouvelles réponses" ("The developing European Union: new challenges new responses" ). Pascale Joannin, Director General of the Foundation is speaking on 28th November on "Les Valeurs de l'Europe: quelles spécificités, quels futurs?" ("Europe's Values: what are the characteristics - what is the future?"

2,960 candidates are running in the general and senatorial elections that will take place in Romania on 30th November: 2, 065 for 346 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (Camera deputatilor) and 895 for the 143 seats in the Senate. According to the most recent poll by the Bureau for Social Studies, published on 17th November last the Democratic Liberal Party led by Emil Bloc and which Romanian President Traian Basescu also belongs to, is due to win 34.7% of the vote ahead of the Social Democratic Party, led by Mircea Geoana with 31.7% and far ahead of the National Liberal Party in power, of which Prime Minister Calin Popesuc Tariceanu is a member, with 20%. Speculation about post-electoral alliances between the three main parties is the focus of the headlines in the media.

In an editorial published on his site Jean-Dominique Giuliani looks into the conditions needed for a concerted economic revival in Europe.

On 18th November MEPs debated the economic and financial crisis in the light of the G20 meeting in Washington that took place on 15th November. The necessary reform of financial rules, notably credit ratings agencies and hedge funds together with the strengthening of SME's were highlighted by most political groups. Commission President José Manuel Barroso said he was satisified with the conclusions of the G20 and promoted the outline for recovery the Commission was looking into; this is to be presented on 26th November for both national and European action. He said he supported a budgetary impetus programme with "pertinent, targeted, temporary measures" and said he wanted to link this programme to the agenda against climate change to modernise industry and make it more sustainable.

On 20th November the Latvian government allowed its Finance Minister, Atis Slakteris to start discussions with the IMF for support designed to stabilise the country's economy. Latvia' economic activity is due to decline by 0.8% in 2008 and by 2.7% in 2009. The EU announced on 22nd November that it is prepared to grant a loan to Latvia to strengthen its balance of payments but says that Riga must undertake a rigorous adjustment programme.

In a resolution adopted on 20th November by 491 votes in favour, 13 against and 24 abstentions MEPs approved the Commission's proposal to increase the mid-term financial ceiling from 12 to 25 billion euro in aid of Member States which are not Euro Area members and which are facing balance of payment difficulties. Aid such as this was given to Hungary. However MEPs did not agree to giving the Commission the power to modify the ceiling without undertaking a complete legislative process, even though they say they want to act rapidly when the need arises.

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on 21st November that it had come to an agreement with its Polish counterpart with regard to granting a loan of 10 billion euro to support its liquidity reserves. The agreement should help the Polish Central Bank (Narodowy Bank Polski, NBP) in its operations to repurchase liquidities explaines the ECB in a press release. By facilitating its access to liquidites this is a means of supporting the Polish banking sector which is also affected by the financial crisis and the reduction in loans caused by the latter.

The Dutch government announced on 21st November that it was taking measures to support companies to a total of 6 billion euro ie 1% of the GDP. This comes just days before the presentation of a European revival plan which is the cause of great debate. "We see that the economy has declined radically: the order books are empty, suppliers are having problems, we do not want to close our eyes on this and this is why we have undertaken some measures to support the economy," indicated Dutch Prime Minister, Jan-Peter Balkenende after the Council of Ministers.

According to a press release issued by the Finance Minister on 17th November the Swedish government has made a major revision of its growth forecasts 2009-2010 planning in the best of events +0.1% and +2% respectively in comparison with +1.3% and +3.1% previously.

Ewa Klamt's report (EPP-DE, DE) on the Eurpean "blue card" was adopted on 20th November 388 votes in favour, 56 against, 124 abstentions. This "blue card", which is supposed to compete with the American "green card", aims to attract highly qualified workers from third countries to the EU. It will allow the holder, who must have at least five years experience in the area of work in question or have a university diploma that is acknowledged by the Member State, access to other EU Member States after having worked for three years in an initial country of residence. MEPs are asking for the salary granted to the beneficiary of the card to be at least 1.7 times that of the average salary in the Member State of residence.

On 19th November MEPs adopted four reports by Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos (PSE, PT) which addresses European Commission proposals with regard to the CAP Health Check. Parliament's position aims to reconcile the interests of the various players involved and is asking for a reduction in aid to farmers so that this rises only to 7% instead of 13% by 2013. Moreover they insist on the need to support small production centres, breeders and the milk sector; they believe the creation of a milk fund will be vital to the sector's recovery. Finally they pleaded in favour of the upkeep of market intervention in sectors that are struggling; they also spoke in favour of increasing community co-funding of insurance that should take on board climatic change and the economic losses associated with animal or vegetal disease.

On 20th November MEPs adopted a resolution by Sophie In't Veld (ADLE, NL), 512 votes in favour, 5 against and 19 abstentions against the proposed framework decision put forward by the European Commission. It plans for the use of data on air passengers (Passenger Name Record-PNR) for repressive ends. Although the Commission believes that these measures are necessary in the fight against terrorism, MEPs say that such a policy is disproportionate and legally unjustified. Moreover they see a threat to passengers' private lives in this and as a result are requesting the Commission to prove the compatibility of the texts with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Fundamental Rights Charter.

In a report introduced by Edit Bauer (EPP-ED, SK) the parliamentary commission for women's rights and gender equality made recommendations to the European Commission to fight unequal wages between men and women - a problem which continues in spite of 30 years of legislation in the domain. Amongst the suggested solutions we find a request to review existing legislation, the introduction of remuneration audits in companies, the promotion of the role of organisations responsible for equal opportunities and the adoption of adequate sanctions.

On 18th November the European Commission presented its 25th annual report on the monitoring of the application of community law 2007. It shows how the Commission is translating its Better Regulation aims into actions - better assessing national impacts when it prepares legislation; working with the Member States to solve problems that citizens raise, resolving them more quickly and efficiently than could be done through legal proceedings; improving efficiency in managing infringements and enhancing dialogue with the Council, the European Parliament and the public on the application of law. The Commission which is the guardian of the treaties is responsible for the implementation of over 10,000 laws in the Union. At the end of 2007 the Commission processed 3,400 cases of infringement, ie 5.6% more than in 2006. The settlement of these cases accelerated (23 months instead of 28 before) and 93% of the time the Court of Justice did not have to intervene.

The European digital library was launched on 20th November: Europeana. This project that was undertaken thanks to the work of several hundred cultural institutions in the EU has placed over 2 million digitalised cultural objects from the public sphere at the publics disposal and free of charge. For the time being only 1% of the content of Europe's national libraries has been digitalised but this figure is due to rise above 4% in 2012 to include 10 million cultural objects. The cost of Europeana is estimated at 2.5 million euro per year (80% of which comes from the EU budget). However because of its immense success from its very launch only the demonstration site can be viewed; the library will only be accessible in mid-December.

On 20th November the European Commission adopted a communication on "The European Union and the Arctic Region." Highlighting the impact of several community policies on the Arctic, it puts forward a co-ordinated response to the challenges the region is facing with three main objectives: the protection of the Arctic together with the population, the promotion and sustainable use of resources and a contribution to better multilateral governance of the Arctic. Notably the Commission proposes the inclusion of issues relative to the Arctic on the international community's agenda especially on the basis of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Commission also hopes to achieve permanent observer status at the Arctic Council. Finally it hopes to integrate the Union's Arctic policy into the wider context of the Union's maritime policy which co-orindates all European policies linked to maritime issues.

On 20th November the Commission presented a progress report of its "4th Action programme for equal opportunities between men and women at the European Commission (2004-2008)". This report highlights that the Commission recruited more women than men in 2007 and that the Commission's targets for 2007 had all been achieved for the very first time. Progress is visible in terms of appointments to administrative positions including management which now comprises 35.1% of women in comparison with 12.8% in 2004 - the goal was 25%. The Commission hopes to increase its efforts to correct the continuing under-representation of women in management, promote greater harmony between private and professional life, notably thanks to parental leave, distance-working and more flexible working hours.

On 20th November Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission for Justice, Freedom and Security presented the European Commission's 10 strategic priorities with regard to the confiscation and the recovery of the products of crime. The aim is to "strike criminals hard where it hurts most," by confiscating assests of criminal origin so that crime does not pay. The Commission notably hopes to accelerate the establishment of "asset recovery offices" in the Member States and to engage their co-operation via Europol. Eurojust will also have to help to facilitate co-operation between judges; a joint European training programme for financial investigators will also be established.

The 27 Culture Ministers who met on 20th and 21st November spoke in favour of a text on the development of legal offers of online cultural and creative content and on combating piracy. They have asked the European Commission to present a report in 18 months time based on the experience of the various Member States. In their opinion on-line piracy damages copyright and the marketing of CDs and DVDs. In addition to this they insisted on the cultural dimension of multilingualism and adopted conclusions on the promotion of intercultural dialogue. The 27 Education Ministers adopted conclusions on youth mobility and on a European co-operation programme in the social sphere. They declared 2009 the "European Year of Creativity and Innovation."

On 21st November the 27 European Budget Ministers unanimously approved the draft budget of the European Communities 2009 after a very successful meeting with the European Parliament. They also came to an agreement to provide aid of one billion euro over three years originally promised in July to farmers of poor countries. The agreement includes for payment to be made in three stages over the period 2008-2010 with "a first instalment in 2008 of 262 million euro." The second instalment of 568 million euro will be made in 2009 and the remainder of 180 million will be given in 2010.

After talks with the leaders of Opel on 17th November German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised that the government would look into the situation constructively to make a decision whether to grant the company with a guarantee or not. Opel asked for government aid to meet its need for liquidities mid-term. This is linked to the financial situation of its American head office General Motors which is almost bankrupt. This would entail the guarantee that funds would remain in the company and that they would not go to the USA. Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of General Motors Europe said after the discussions that his company was not interested in liquidities or short term subsidies for the German branch of GM. Opel hopes for a "protective umbrella" to enable it ensure the survival of the company "even in the worst conditions". The decision is to be taken by Christmas.

The German government has just published its annual report for the period September 2007-August 2008. It is entitled "For a modern and human Germany". The German Chancellor Angela Merkel draws up an overview of the government's policy results in the preface: "The policy aiming to balance, reform and invest is bringing about results. It is a true success for us all in Germany. This gives us the means to master new challenges." This report comprises eleven chapters: growth, future investments, budget, climate change, social security, inter-generational links, agriculture and consumer protection, freedom, integration, international responsibility and culture.

On 20th November French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented the Strategic Investment Funds to a total of 20 billion euro designed to support French companies that are deemed strategic during the crisis. The Caisse de Dépots et Consignations will take part in the funds, in the shape of a limited company to a total of 14 billion euro, with the share of the State rising to 6 billion euro. The head of State said that alliances with "other foreign funds may be created; the essential thing was the transparency of the operations and the development of investments." More concretely he said he wanted to set down "an aggressive strategy" with his European partners before the beginning of 2009. Meetings have now been programmed until the next European Council on 11th and 12th December.

Irish parliamentarians held hearings on 18th and 20th November as part of the committee on the future of Ireland in the EU. The aim is to analyse the challenges that Ireland has to face in the wake of the negative referendum on the Lisbon Treaty: the future of Ireland in the EU; its influence within the European institutions; the role played by the Irish parliament in European matters; a better understanding of the EU by the citizens. A report is to be present by the Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, to his European counterparts during the European Council on 11th and 12th December next.

During a meeting on 20th November in London, the president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown discussed how European countries could work together to implement the agreement that was found during the G20 Summit in Washington on 15th November. This focussed on the timetable in reforming the financial system, the revision of the international financial architecture, the need to finalise negotiations on world trade rapidly and the provision of a co-ordinated response to the economic policy. They highlighted the dangers of protectionist measures that some countries may try to establish and indicated that a co-orindated world response could accelerate economic recovery.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown believes that the UK needs a "new approach" to overcome the world financial crisis and advises on a "dynamic, audacious budgetary policy" as he spoke on 24th November to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). "Doing nothing is not an option. A new approach is needed if we want to ride this unprecedented world financial recession with as little damage as possible" made to the British economy. He advises therefore on "an approach which brings together the use of a monetary policy together with a dynamic, audacious budgetary policy in support of economic activity and confidence over the coming months." On the same day the British Finance Minister revealed the main guidelines of the 2009 budget that is to promote recovery whilst diverging from the golden budgetary rules established in 1997 by Gordon Brown himself which set to restrict public debt to under 40% of the GDP.

According to a survey published on 24th November by the newspaper Dagens Nyheter and the Synovate institute 44% of the Swedes are in favour of the euro in comparison with 34.6% in the last survey in May. 48% of those interviewed are against the introduction of the European currency in comparison with 7% who do not know. In May 51.7% were against the introduction of the euro. Also 52% of men interviewed are in favour of the euro against only 35% of women. An EU member since 1995, Sweden rejected the single currency during a referendum in September 2003. The progress made by the YES camp can notably be explained by the recent devaluation of the Krona in comparison with the euro. "People see that the krona has lost value recently. They cannot see that this could be good for Swedish exports," explains Mickael Gilljam, a political expert from the University of Göteborg.

On 20th November the UN Security Council approved the extension of European Stabilisation Force's mandate in Bosnia-Herzegovina 'EUFOR' for one year. In a resolution adopted unanimously by its fifteen members the Security Council again expressed its support for the measures included in the Dayton Agreement which brought the war in Bosnia to an end 13 years ago. It allows UN Member States "to act via the EU or in co-operation with it" to extend the presence of the EUFOR for one year. It also allows Member States "to act via or in co-operation with NATO to maintain a general HQ for NATO" in Bosnia-Herzegovina. EUFOR took over from the NATO force based in Bosnia in 2004 since the latter had ended its own mission nearly ten years after the end of the war (1992-1995).

Discussions between Russia and Georgia started again on 19th November in Geneva in the form of informal working groups headed by the EU, UN and the OSCE - this came one month after the first aborted attempt. "We have made a major qualificative leap, the sterile debates on procedure are behind us and we have started real talks," explained Johan Verbeke, Special Representative of the Secretary Genreal for Georgia and Head of the UN Observation Mission in the country (UNOMIG) during a press conference. In his opinion participants from Russia, Georgia and the secessionist republics of Georgia (Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia) came to an agreement on "a highly political point of method" which comprised "leaving behind heavy political issues" to "take care of real security issues for the population". After the meeting the Russians and the Georgians decided to meet again in December.

The International Court of Justice declared itself competent on 18th November to judge the complaint lodged by Croatia accusing Serbia of genocide during the 1991-1995 war. The Court is competent to look into this request. However the ICJ's decision is in no way affected in terms of the basic issue but it opens the way to a second trial for genocide before the Court.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 17th November the first estimate for the euro area trade balance with the rest of the world in September 2008 gave a 5.6 billion euro deficit, compared with +2.9 billion in September 2007. The first estimate for the September 2008 extra-EU trade balance was a deficit of 23.0 billion euro with the largest deficit with Russia (-51.7 billion) but which remained nearly stable with China (-101.9 billion). Amongst the Member States Germany had the greatest surplus and the UK recorded the greatest deficit.

Eurobarometer has published five chapters comprising the "Eurobarometer 69 Spring 2008 report: European Values" "Europeans and Globalisation", "The Europeans' State of Mind", "The European Union and its Citizens", "The European Union today and tomorrow." These five chapters present a detailed analysis of surveys undertaken between March and May 2008, the first results of which were published in June 2008.

The European Foundation for Improving Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND), the European agency based in Dublin, has published the results of a survey on the quality of life amongst European citizens and those living in Norway, Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia. On a scale of 1 to 10 Europeans assess their satsifaction at 7 and their happiness at 7.5 - the happiest being the Danes (8.5) and the unhappiest, the Bulgarians (5.8). Great disparity exists between age categories and social groups in the new Member States. Health and the quality of family relations are believed to be the most important factors in the quality of life.

The Bruegel Institute has published a paper by Jean Pisani-Ferry, André Sapir and Jakob von Weizsäcker entitled "A European Recovery Programme". They suggest a European recovery programme comprising the co-ordination of substantial tax incentives together with measures to enhance tax sustainability (commitment to monitored reform, cautious debts).

The Center for European Reform has published a study "Is EU competition policy an obstacle to innovation and growth?" According to Simon Tilford European countries must improve their results in terms of high tech company development if they want to prosper. The reasons for Europe's weakness with regard to innovation are multifarious and one of them may be the competition policy. Indeed European rules in this area do not foster innovation and therefore damage competition.

The Strategic Analysis Council, an organisation under the authority of the French Prime Minister has published "Le soutien de l'état à la mobilité européenne des jeunesses: un rôle plus que subsidiaire." (State support for European youth mobility: more than a subsidiary role). Author Yves Bertoncini believes that since the EU has only one competence in support of European youth mobility Member States and particularly the French State has the resources and should have greater involvement to promote this.

The December issue of the review "The World Today" published by Chatham House is devoted to the world economic and financial crisis as well as to the possible reforms to remedy this and to modify the architecture of international finance. This review also includes an article on climate change and another by Robin Niblett on the development of US/EU relations with the election of Barack Obama.

Former French Minister and President of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1982, Simone Veil was elected to join the Académie Française on 20th November in the first round of voting with 22 votes out of 29. Born in 1927 Simone Veil was deported to Auschwitz with her family in 1944. She entered politics 30 years later as Health Minister for Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and was at the origin of the vote in 1975 on the famous law on abortion that bears her name. She then became the first President of the European Parliament in 1979, then member of the Constitutional Council until 2007.

The Old National Gallery is devoting an exhibition to "The Cult of the Artist: the deconstruction of the myth of the artist" until 22nd February 2009.