The Robert Schuman Foundation and the Center for Transatlantic Relations (Johns Hopkins University) are organising a Franco-American conference in Paris on 5th December entitled "2009: what challenges for the Franco-American relationship?" together with Jean François-Poncet, former Foreign Minister and Jean-David Levitte, ambassador and diplomatic advisor to the President of the Republic. Ten French and American experts will debate five themes: strategic challenges, the Mediterranean, Africa, the world economy and Russia.

On 26th November the European Comission presented a comprehensive plan to drive Europe's recovery from the current economic crisis. The Plan calls for a timely, targeted and temporary fiscal stimulus of around 200 billion euros or 1.5% of EU GDP, within both national budgets (around 170 billion euros, 1.2% of GDP) and EU and European Investment Bank budgets (15.6 billion euros). The Recovery Plan is based on two mutually reinforcing main elements. Firstly, short-term measures to boost demand, save jobs and help restore confidence. Secondly, "smart investment" to yield higher growth and sustainable prosperity in the longer-term. With regard to budgetary stimulus the Commission has invited the Member States to adopt recovery plans and a flexible approach to the application of the Stability and Growth Pact and rules in terms of State aid, whilst the Commission will facilitate payments associated with the structural and social funds. With regard to intelligent investments the Commission is putting forwards European initiatives in support of green cars (five billion euros), energy saving buildings and "factories of the future." The Commission has asked the European Council to approve this plan on 11th and 12th December.

On 25th November the second Euro-African conference on migration and development rallied the 27 EU Member States and 27 African countries in Paris. It led to the adoption of a "three-yeaer co-operation programme" that aims to control legal migration, counter illegal immigration and organise joint development." This programme enhances co-operation between Europe and Africa with regard to all of the subjects relating to migration within the context of the West African migratory route.

On 26th November the European Commission suggested a revision of the directive establishing the community framework for nuclear security 2004. The proposal – which replaces and updates the one tabled in September 2004 is based on the obligations of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Fundamentals. The general objective of the proposal is to achieve, maintain and continuously improve nuclear safety and its regulation in the Community and to enhance the role of the regulatory bodies.

On 27th November the 27 Ministers adopted measures to support consumers notably with regard to a ceiling on SMS tarifs between European countries - 0.11 euro before VAT. They also reached agreement (albeit with some abstentions) leading to the modificatino of the revised Commssion proposal with regard to the "Telecoms Package". According to this agreement the group of European regulators (GERT) will be institutionalised, the management of frequencies will remain under Member State control, functional separation will be controlled. The European Commissioner for Information Society and the Media, Viviane Reding said she wanted a meeting between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission to come to an agreement by the spring of 2009. For her part the French Culture Minister, Christine Albanel said she was pleased with the withdrawal of the European Parliament's amendment 138 with regard to the fight against piracy.

The European Central Bank published its 6th progress report on 24th November on the Single Euro Payments Area - SEPA. This report reveals significant progress but also that there is still a great amount of work to do notably with regard to the launch of the SEPA instrument and the creation of a new European card payment system.

At a meeting in the Hague on 25th and 26th November Ministers responsible for space activities from the 18 Member States of the European Space Agency and Canada provided new impetus to the European space policy. They adopted a resolution dedicated to details related to policy and programming which highlights the "role space plays in the achievement of Europe's goals worldwide." A second resolution established a resource programme for the ESA for 2009-2013 with an increase of 10 billion euro ie 20% of the budget. Amongst the projects to be undertaken will be the GMES programme (Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security), the development of the 3rd generation Meteosat, the development of a climte observation satellite, the development of the International Space Station (ISS) and the modernisation of the launchers Ariane 5.

On 28th November after four days of discussion the Bundestag adopted the 2009 budget to a total of 290 billion euro. The budgetary debate provided an opportunity to discuss government priorities: recovering from the economic crisis, regulation of the financial markets, fairer trade with developing countries, the role of Europe, enhancement of co-operation with the USA and the extension of the G8. Although 2009 promises to "be the bearer of bad news" Angela Merkel said that Germany was economically strong: unemployment is at its lowest for over 16 years, public finances are strong in spite of a deficit caused by the crisis whilst German products are competitive and salaries are well structured.

On 25th November the Commission decided to withdraw permanently the 220 million euros in European funds from Bulgaria due to inadequate measures taken by the country to fight against corruption. "It is the first time" that an EU country has been deprived of European funds. The Commission "upheld" the decision announced in July to freeze 800 million euros in European funds marked out for this country. However with regard to the 220 million euros in European pre-membership PHARE funds the sanction means that they are permanently withdrawn because the deadline within which they were supposed to have been used has passed. Therefore 580 million euros in funds remain frozen.

On 25th November the official results of a referendum on greater autonomy of the island confirmed that 75.5% of the 57,000 inhabitants want to move towards independence. Only 23.5% of voters are against the proposal. A Danish colony since the 18th century, Greenland won political autonomy for the first time in 1978.

From 24th to 26th November Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was on an official visit to Kosovo where he met Kosovar President Fatmis Sejdiu and his Kosovar counterpart Hashim Thaci. He guaranteed Estonia's support to Kosovo in its effort to join the EU. "Kosovo is an independent and sovereign country that has Estonia's entire support." On this same occasion he met Roy Read, the deputy leader of the European EULEX mission in Kosovo.

The institute for political studies in Paris together with the Embassy of Italy in Paris and the Embassy of France in Italy are organising a Franco-Italian Day on 2nd December on the theme of : "Changes in the Environment: challenges and opportunities for society, the economy, technology research and development in Europe. A Franco-Italian contribution."

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis agreed on 25th November to increase co-operation in the area of sea trade to offer Chinese products access to EU and Balkan markets. "Sea trade is a strategic area for co-operation (...) Greek ports could become transit centres for Chinese goods en route for the EU, South East Europe and the Mediterranean," said Costas Caramanlis after a meeting with Hu Jintao who was on a three-day official visit to Greece. The two leaders had just attended the signature of the 35 year concession agreement for the management of the Greek port of Piraeus, one of the major ports in the Mediterranean, by Chinese transport giant Cosco, for a price of 4.35 billion euros - the first major Chinese investment in Greece.

The sub-committee on the future of Ireland in the EU that was set up after the negative referendum on the Lisbon Treaty on 12th June last published its report on 27th November. The report says that there is no constitutional obstacle to prevent another referendum in Ireland on the Lisbon treaty. This report comprises four chapters: the challenges after the referendum; possible options for the future of Ireland in the EU; the improvement of understanding on the part of the citizens about the EU and the enhancement of the role played by parliament in European affairs.

The European Commissioner for the Budget, Dalia Grybauskaite recalls that Lithuania must first settle its finances before being able to apply the economy recovery plan put forward by the European Commission. She indicates that "measures that suit other countries for example the reduction of taxes, cannot be applied in Lithuania." However the announcement of a 5 billion euro allocation for the electric networks would be of benefit to all the Baltic States.

From 24th to 26th November the Finnish President Tarja Halonen was on an official visit to Luxembourg. During this visit she had interviews with Luxembourg Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker. On 25th November the two leaders attended an economic and financial seminar entitled "Energy, environment and innovation - new opportunities for companies." at the Chamber of Commerce together with the Economy and External Trade Minister, Jeannot Krecké.

On 26th November the Czech Constitutional Court said that the Lisbon Treaty was in line with Czech fundamental law thereby opening the way to its ratification by the two chambers of parliament. "The Lisbon treaty (...) does not contradict the constitutional order," declared the President of the Constitutional Court, Pavel Rychetsky.

The two main Romanian parties, the PDL and the PSD achieved tight scores in the parliamentary elections on 30th November according to the final results released by the Central Electoral Bureau on 2nd December. The main opposition party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), led by Mircea Geoana allied to the Conservative Party (PC) led by Dan Voiculescu won 34.16% of the vote in the Senate and 33.09% in the Chamber of Deputies, ahead of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) by 51 votes - the latter party led by President Traian Basescu won 33.57% of the vote in the Senate and 32.36% in the Chamber of Deputies. The National Liberal Party (PNL) led by outgoing Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu came third with 18.74% of the vote in the Senate and 18.57% in the Chamber of Deputies. Finally the Democratic Union of the Hungarians of Romania (UDMR) a member of the outgoing government coalition, led by Marko Bela won 6.39% and 6.17% of the vote respectively - it is the fourth political party to be represented in parliament. The other parties, notably the far right movement, the Greater Romania Party (PRM), which had 48 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 21 in the Senate in the previous term in office, failed to win the obligatory 5% necessary to enter parliament.The parties are still waiting for the distribution of seats that may benefit some more than others. According to Emil Bloc, chairman of the PDL, his party has won the elections "because according to our calculations the PDL has two additional seats in parliament."

The British government, which promised to guarantee an increase in capital to a total of 18 billion euro for the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the country's former second biggest bank, has become the main shareholder since the other investors refused to join in the operation. After its first intervention as part of the bank rescue plan announced on 8th October Gordon Brown's government now owns 57.9% of RBS. Shareholders did not show much enthusiasm for the 15 billion pounds worth of new shares on offer at 65.5 pence per unit since they were only estimated at 55 pence on the market. Only 0.24% responded positively. Simultaneously the British government purchased 5 billion pounds worth of RBS preference shares together with a lucrative 12% per year dividend, payable over five years, which will provide a total of 20 billion pounds in fresh capital for the Edinburgh bank.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader travelled on an official visit to Sweden - which will take over the presidency of the EU in the second half of 2009. He declared that his country was prepared to finalise Croatia's membership negotiations to the EU during the Swedish presidency. This will be difficult because of the financial crisis. This will be even more so since criminality continues in Croatia.

The Ukrainian gas company Naftogas and the Russian Gazprom agreed on 25th November on a partial reimbursement of the Ukrainian debt. "An agreement was found whereby Naftogas will settle its debt by 1st December 2008 with regard to the gas delivered in September and part of its debt with regard to deliveries in Ocotber 2008," announced Gazprom with giving details of the amounts to be paid. Naftogas confirmed this agreement. This announcement follows the visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Moscow on 25th November. However the amount of this debt still seems to be the source of debate between the two companies: according to Gazprom it totals 2.4 billion dollars for the months of September to November 2008, including penalties. But Naftogas has only acknowledged a debt of 1.27 billion dollars with regard to the Russo-Ukrainian gas company RosUkrEnergo and not to Gazprom.

On 27th November the Mixed Committee rallying the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland decided to lift land border controls between Switzerland and the EU on 12th December next. The abolition of air border controls will be implemented on 29th March 2009. This decision comes after the observation of the correct application of the Schengen Agreement by Switzerland. Moreover Swiss advisor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Eurojust President José Luis Lopes da Mota signed an agreement that aims to step up the joint fight against international crime and terrorism whilst ensuring a high degree of data protection.

On 26th November the WTO confirmed condemnation of the EU with regard to its banana import system thereby complying with complaints lodged by the USA and Ecuador which had accused it of discriminating against their production. The WTO's appeal organisation believes that the EU banana import system "is contrary" to international trade rules. It thereby confirmed an initial decision taken in April in favour of Ecuador and in May in favour of the USA against which the EU appealed on 28th August.

On 26th November the UN Security Council approved the deployment of the future EU police and justice mission in Kosovo (EULEX). It gave the green light to a plan whereby Eulex will progressively take over from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), whilst retaining a neutral status with regard to Kosovo's independence. The council welcomed "the EU's work to foster a European future for all of the Western Balkans, thereby making a decisive contribution to regional stability and prosperity."

According to Eurostat figures released on 24th November in September 2008 compared with August 2008, the euro area industrial new orders index fell by 3.9%. In August the index decreased by 1.5%. In the EU new orders declined by 4.6% in September 2008, after dropping by 1.7% in August. Excluding ships, railway and aerospace equipment, for which changes tend to be more volatile, industrial new orders decreased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU.

According to a recent Eurobarometer survey more than half of the Slovakians (57%) are happy that the euro has replaced the Slovakian crown and think that the introduction of the euro will make them feel more European. Four Slovakians in five say they are informed about this against 47% in September 2007; 82% have already seen the euro and 50% have already used it. Although 65% think that the euro will lead to price rises most think that the euro will have positive results for their country (54%) and for themselves (54%).

According to the Transition 2008 report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, economic growth will be halved in Central Europe and Central Asia, from +4.3% in 2008 to +2.2% in 2009 for the countries in Central Europe and the Baltic States notably. But the danger of a reduction in foreign investments in these countries may lead to a greater reduction in growth. However the report observes progress in the implementation of market liberalisation reforms, especially in candidate countries, as well as in States such as Belarus and Turkmenistan. The EBRD is encouraging all of these countries to continue their efforts to recover growth.

"L'Europe et vous" is the first title in the series "L'Actu Facile" jointly edited by the Documentation Française and the Editions RadioFrance. The aim is to explain what "Europe is doing for us" with regard to freedom, protection, rights, and to place vital daily activities within a European context. 12 texts make up the main body of the work: "How much does Europe cost?", "Consuming in Europe", "Working in Europe" etc...

The Scala of Milan is presenting the Richard Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" until 2nd January under the management of Daniel Barenboïm and the direction of Patrice Chéreau.