The Robert Schuman Foundation has released a summary paper on the upcoming senatorial report by Jean François-Poncet, former Foreign Minister, Member of the Administrative Board of the Robert Schuman Foundation and by Monique Cerisier-ben Guiga on "The Middle East in the Nuclear Age" that will be published in the autumn. The Foundation has also published unique research by Jacques Charmelot on the Palestinian issue, on Iran and on Lebanon.

According to a study by the Estonian Statistics Office published on 7th July the consumer price index declined by 0.9% between June 2008 and June 2009. In one year the price of foodstuffs has dropped by 0.5% whilst that of manufactured goods fell by 5%. Between May and June however prices did not change significantly.

As part of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union Swedish Minister for the EU, Cecilia Malmström has created a blog on which she comments the day to day news of the presidency.

The political groups of the European Parliament are getting ready for the constitutive plenary session that will begin on 14th July in Strasbourg. According to the European Parliament the balance of power in the hemicycle is as follows: 265 seats for the EPP (European People's Party), 184 seats for the APSD (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats), 84 for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe(ALDE); 55 seats for the Greens/ALE (Free European Alliance); 55 seats for the CRE (European Conservatives and Reformers); 30 seats for the ELD (Europe of Freedom and Democracy) and 28 seats for the NI. The CRE group also elected Briton Timothy Kirkhope as its chair.

On 8th July the European Commission imposed fines totalling 1,106,000,000 euros on E.ON AG and its subsidiary E.ON Ruhrgas AG (of Germany) and on GDF Suez SA (of France) for market sharing in breach of EC Treaty rules on cartels and restrictive business practices. E.ON/E.ON Ruhrgas and GDF Suez are fined 553,000,000 euros each. This is the second biggest fine ever delivered by the EU and the first inflicted for anti-trust infringement in the energy sector. In 1975 Ruhrgas AG (now EON Ruhrgas, a subsidiary of EON) and GDF (now GDF-Suez) decided to build a gaspipeline together across Germany to import Russian natural gas to Germany and France and agreed not to sell gas transported over this pipeline in each other's home markets. This agreement upheld until the end of 2005 enabled them to maintain strong positions on the German and French gas markets at the time of their liberalisation in 2000. They therefore deliberately deprived consumers of the advantages provided in the directive of 1998.

During a meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Brussels on 7th July EU Finance Ministers and the States that lie on the Mediterranean lauded the co-ordinated action implemented for the stabilisation of the financial sector, as well as the promotion of economic growth in the Euro-Mediterranean region. On this occasion ministers promised to avoid protectionist measures. The EU re-iterated its financial and administrative support during the implementation of structural reform in the Mediterranean partner countries.

Just as we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, German Chancellor Angela Merkel pay tribute to the role played by the churches in the political resistance to the regime of the GDR. For decades "in the GDR they were an important source of strength, belief and were links between values and faith," she stressed. In 1989 the churches channelled the will for change and contributed greatly to the latter occurring in a peaceful manner. We should remember that the Chancellor herself was the daughter of a pastor and that she lived in the GDR for 35 years. The Chancellor wanted that those who never experienced life in the GDR also to take interest in forms of resistance that existed behind the Iron Curtain. 20 years ago in July 1989 5000 young East Germans openly criticised the GDR regime during the Evangelical Church congress in Leipzig. The event was a precursor to the mass demonstrations in the autumn and finally to the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer made an official visit to Ukraine on 7th to 9th July. He met his counterpart Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President of the Parliament Vladimir Litwin. Discussions mainly focused on energy issues, good relations between the two countries and perspectives of Ukraine's accession to the EU. Mr Fischer also attended a Austria/Ukraine economic forum since Austria is the fourth investor in Ukraine. Heinz Fischer was then awarded the gold medal "International Academic Rating of Popularity, Golden Fortune" on the part of the Acadamy of Science of Kiev.

Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel de Gucht, member of the Flemish Liberal Party (VLD) is to succeed Louis Michel, a member of the Frenchspeaking Liberal Party (MR) who was elected to the European Parliament. Karel de Gucht will be taking over the post of Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid on 14th July until the end of the mandate of the present Commission on 31st October.

The chair of the party that won the general elections in Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov said on 6th July that the present European Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva would not retain her post. She said that she would stay in office until the end of her mandate thereby relinquishing her mandate as MEP; she was elected on 7th June. Rumania Jeleva, MEP is due to be appointed as Commissioner for Bulgaria.

Justice, Home and Equality Ministers, the General Counsel of the Judicial Authority and the Public Minister came to an agreement on 8th July establishing 3000 measures to control the means for separation in the event of domestic violence. The total cost of these operations is 5 million euros. The implementation of the measure as from 24th July next should lead to an improvement in the protection and security of the victims. In the opinion of Equality Minister, Bibiana Aido "the fight against domestic violence is a vital political action - a priority for this government and we are addressing this issue in a totally coordinated and global manner."

On 6th July the Finnish Statistics Centre published unemployment figures for 2008. Unemployment declined by 6% and employment increased by 2% in comparison with 2007 which involves around 2.5 million people. This was mainly due to an increase in the number of 55-64 year olds who have entered the labour market.

On 6th July on the occasion of the Franco-British summit in Evian French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demonstrated their joint ambition with regard to several issues. In terms of financial regulation they said they wanted to push for the reforms announced at the G20 in London in April and to work towards the next summit planned in September in Pittsburgh (USA) being "just as ambitious". With regard to the fight against global warming they defended the same point of view just six months from the world summit in Copenhagen. Both France and the UK also signed declarations to reform world governance and enhance cooperation against illegal immigration, to develop European industry and nuclear energy. To conclude both countries demonstrated the same firm stance with regard to Iran.

A second referendum in Ireland on the European Lisbon Treaty will be organised on 2nd October next announced Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on 8th July. Polls estimate the "yes" vote at 54% since member states accepted the legal guarantees with regard to military neutrality and the Irish tax regime. Moreover the economic recession that is affecting Ireland in particular is encouraging the Irish to accept this treaty which will be in the country's interest according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Michael Martin.

From 8th to 10th July the heads of State and government and members of the G8 looked into the world economic situation. The G8 leaders noted "signs of stabilisation" but they believe it "necessary" to prepare strategies to emerge from the recovery plans. Global warming was another focal point of this meeting. An agreement was made to limit warming to 2°C by 2050 and to halve world CO2 emissions (by 80% and more for the industrialised countries). They were joined by leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. They launched the Aquila Initiative for food safety for which they promised to raise 15 billion dollars in three years time. Finally the G8 met several African leaders and the two side pushed for an enhancement of their cooperation.

The former European Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaitewas was sworn in on 12th July before the Lithuanian MPs thereby becoming the first woman president of the Lithuania. Elected on 17th May in the first round of the presidential election with nearly 70% of the vote Dalia Grybauskaite succeeds outgoing president Valdas Adamkus who has been head of the Lithuanian state for the last ten years.

The OECD announced in a press release on 8th July Luxembourg had been removed from the 'grey' list of tax havens after signing the twelve agreements for the exchange of tax information. The latest extension to its agreement of dual taxation was signed with Norway. Included on the 'grey' list of tax havens published at the beginning of April by the OECD, Luxembourg now features on the 'white' list which brings together countries which "substantially" apply international standards. In three months the country has implemented its promise to provide full cooperation with regard to tax issues and to help strengthen progress towards "transparency" worldwide said OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria.

The unemployment rate in Poland decreased in June to 10.7% of the working population in comparison with 10.8% in May said the Employment Ministry on 6th July. The number of unemployed in Poland, a country with 38 million inhabitants, lay at 1.659 million at the end of June in comparison with 1.689 at the end of May. A year earlier in June 2008 unemployment affected 9.6% of the working population in Poland.

On 6th July the Croatian Parliament invested the government led by Jadranka Kosor, former journalist who became the first Croatian woman Prime Minister with 83 votes in favour and 45 against. The new government comprises 16 members including four Deputy Prime Ministers and three women. Ms Kosor wants to end the stalemate with Slovenia quickly since it is blocking negotiations with the EU.

On 10th July the Icelandic Parliament started its debate on the request for Iceland to join the EU put forward by the new government. Icelandic Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson submitted a draft law to parliament on 28th May in view of Iceland's membership of the EU requesting MPs for their prior consent. According to the minister if the agreement is given for Parliament to start negotiations with Brussels Icelanders will then be called to vote by referendum on this membership.

On 8th July Macedonia underwent a significant ministerial re-shuffle: a Deputy Prime Minister and two ministers resigned, a fourth minister was dismissed from office. The resigning deputy Prime Minister and ministers all belong to the conservative party (VMRO-DPMNE) led by Nicola Gruevski, the head of government. Zoran Stavrevski has become deputy Prime Minister, and Finance Minister in place of Trajko Slavevski and Vladimir Pesevski, Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy. The Education Minister is Nikola Todorov and Ljupco Dimevski has taken over Agriculture. At the end of June Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Ivica Bocevski also resigned. He was replaced by Vasko Naumovski.

On 6th and 7th July Russian President Dmitri Medvedev received his American counterpart Barack Obama in Moscow the aim being to "rekindle" bilateral relations between the two countries. "We hope to close a difficult chapter in the history of Russo-American and open new ones," declared Dmitri Medvedev. The two presidents signed an agreement on the negotiation for a new treaty to control nuclear weapons declaring their support for a reduction in nuclear warheads to 1.500/1.675. These reductions should lead to the establishment of a new text to replace the START treaty which comes to an end in December. They also asked experts from both countries to analyse present balistic dangers in an attempt to settle their differences over the American anti-missile shield in Europe. Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev finally agreed to "continue discussions in view of establishing cooperation" to rise to the challenge of balistic proliferation.

According to Eurostat figures published on 8th July the euro area GDP experienced a record contraction of 2.5% and that of the EU 2.4% in the first quarter of 2009 in comparison with the previous quarter; In the fourth quarter of 2008 the GDP contracted by 1.8% in both areas; in comparison with the first quarter of 2009 the GDP diminished by 4.9% in the euro area and by 4.7% in the EU.

During a meeting on 8th and 9th July delegates of ministers from the Council of Europe met Frank Belfrage, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Sweden who told them of the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the EU. The delegates also adopted two recommendations with regard to ageing and handicap in the 21st century as well as with regard to the protection of children against damaging internet content and behaviour and the promotion of their active participation in a new IT and communication environment.

The Second Global Review on Aid for Trade opened its doors on 6th July in Geneva. The aim is to help developing countries establish the necessary infrastructures so they can benefit from the opening of trade thereby enabling them to join in the world economy. This second review therefore aimed to assess the progress achieved to date and to analyse the possibilities of maintaining aid in spite of the world recession.

According to a report relative to customs work aiming to enforce intellectual property rights on the EU's external borders, presented on 9th July by the European Commission customs recorded more than 49,000 cases of counterfeit merchandise in 2008 in comparison with 43,000 in 2007. In all the number of articles seized for infringement of intellectual property rights rose to 178 million ie a rise of 56% in comparison with 2007 - above all this involves an increase in the number of CD/DVD's and cigarettes seized. More than half of the counterfeit goods were from China.

The summer issue of the review Sécurité Globale published by Choiseul is devoted to the privatisation of war. The file includes several articles on externalisation policy, the examples of the war in Iraq and even the German Bundeswehr are given. It also offers readers an article on maritime terrorism.

The project to reconstruct the baroque Hohenzollern castle will be the lead project over the next few years in the centre of Berlin. In the future the building that is both like the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre will provide a major educational and cultural area within its walls called the Humboldt Forum; this will be both a museum, a library, a cultural centre and a centre for dialogue. Until 17th January 2010 an exhibition at the Altes Museum am Lustgarten gives the public a preview of what is to come. At the crossroads of the art world, sciences and culture in 2014 it will be an exceptional showcase for the cultures of the world.