The Robert Schuman Foundation joined forces with the project Young Euro Connect 2009 entitled "Europe beyond Brussels - the Stories behind the Law". Whilst Europe is often seen as a legislative instrument we might wonder about the influence it has in each of the Member countries of the Union. Young European journalists are putting forward a series of reports that will be told by well known actors. This presentation will take place on 21st September at 7pm in Paris.

A joint press conference between the European Parliament and the European Central Bank (ECB) with regard to the economic crisis took place on 9th September. Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament approved the initiative of eight Member States to continue the reform of the banking sector and "noted" the proposals in support of the creation of taxes and ceilings with regard to bonuses as well as the cancellation of compensation if investments declined. He stressed that "it was not simple to respond to such proposals on a European level" but that Parliament supported them. He also said that Parliament was a firm supporter of the enlargement of the euro area. Jean-Claude Trichet, Chairman of the ECB said "that the crisis was not over" but he appreciated the "overall level of unity (European)".

The second summit meeting between the EU and South Africa with the South African President, Jacob Zuma and Swedish Prime Minister Friedrich Reinfeldt in attendance took place on 11th September. The climate, the economic crisis and trade were some of the subjects addressed during the meeting, likewise regional issues, notably the situation in Zimbabwe.

The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek travelled to Ireland on 8th September on the invitation of the Irish Institute for European and International Affairs; he gave a speech on the referendum to ratify the Lisbon Treaty that is to take place on 2nd October. He insisted on the fact that the up-coming referendum was in no way a test with regard to the popularity of the Irish government but that it concerned "our common future in the European Union". The President of Parliament said that he did not want "to say to the Irish how they should vote" but that they should bear in mind as they voted the concessions achieved by their government (guarantee of retaining their commissioner, fiscal independence, the respect of Irish sovereignty in terms of neutrality and abortion) during the European Council in June.

On 8th and 9th September the European Commission decided to step up its humanitarian effort in response to the needs of the populations of West and Sub-Saharan Africa. These funds are to counter the humanitarian consequences of climate change, notably with regard to drought and flooding. The funds will be provided under the guidance of the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karl De Gucht, by the Commission's Department for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).

On 7th September the 27 Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers discussed the situation of the European milk market on the basis of the 22nd July report established by the high level group for agricultural competitiveness and the agro-food sector. This report not only includes an analysis of the agro-food market but also a review of subventions to the milk products sector. The Commission's analysis, taken up in this report is shared by most member countries, the latter committing to respecting the CAP Health Check - yet there is still concern notably about the real scope of the planned measures. Discussions with regard to the issue of milk products have not ended and will be resumed during the Agriculture and Fisheriers Council in October.

For the first time the European Court of Justice delivered a decision on 8th September stating that the prohibition imposed by State regulations with regard to gambling games operators over the internet is in line with community law. Although the Court confirms its previous jurisprudence which stipulates that a prohibition of this type is in principle a restriction of freedom in terms of the provision of a service it innovates however by accepting the reasons of general interest put forward by the Portuguese State decreeing that Portuguese regulations are proportional and necessary for the achievement of goals to counter fraud and criminality.

On 8th September MPs in the Bundestag adopted the new laws that accompany the European Lisbon Treaty. These texts which grant greater rights of participation to the Bundestag and the Bundesrat on European issues, were approved 446 votes in favour, 46 against and 2 abstentions. With the exception of Die Linke, all of the parties represented in the Bundestag gave the texts their support. If the representatives of the Länder at the Bundesrat approve these complimentary laws on 18th September German President Horst Kohler may finally ratify the Lisbon Treaty before the Irish referendum takes place on 2nd October.

Two requests for aid from the European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF) lodged by Belgium were approved on 9th October by the European Commission. Thanks to intervention on the part of the EGF 2,168 workers in the textile industry will be able to go back to work. The requests totalling 9.2 million euros approximately were mainly aimed at workers in SME's, who were laid off in three Belgian provinces (Western Flanders, Eastern Flanders and Limburg). The Commission now has to submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council to release the necessary funds. The EGF is designed to help workers and includes services such as competence screening, interview skills training, individual job search support and career assistance, training and outplacement.

The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso met Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borrisov on 10th September to discuss several subjects, notably the economic crisis and the role played by the European structural funds in stabilising the Bulgarian economy. In this respect Mr Barroso appreciated the Bulgarian Prime Minister's desire to counter corruption and organised crime that originally led to the EU freezing its funds. The President of the Commission also announced that the Union was planning to grant 300 million euros to Bulgaria to help it compensate for the dismantling of the Kozloduy power station which is a "question of justice" because Bulgaria has the right to a "safe energy system".

The Cypriot and Turkish leaders started the second crucial phase in negotiations on 10th September in view of the reunification of the island that has been divided for the last 35 years. They notably tried to converge in terms of their points of view on the executive, especially on the election of the president and the vice-president of the future federation.

On 9th September the head of the Spanish government José Luis Zapatero and President of the Italian Counci, Silvio Berlusconi met for the 16th Hispano-Italian Summit. Several subjects were on the agenda notably the future Spanish presidency of the EU and the G20 summit. Both countries have decided to present a joint speech during this summit that aims to review the financial system and counter speculation. Mr Zapatero and Mr Berlusconi also said they wanted a European migration policy, drawn up using the agreement that was unanimously approved by the French Presidency of the Union as a base. Finally this meeting was the occasion for both heads of state to sign an agreement for the development of "motorways of the sea" - routes that are devoted to the transport of lorries by boatbetween the two countries.

On 9th September NATO appointed French General Stéphane Abrial Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, one of two major strategic positions in the Atlantic Alliance. The appointment of General Abrial follows France's decision in April to re-integrate NATO's integrated command. Until now strategic command was almost only led by Americans.

On 7th September at the Hungarian Embassy in Vienna various Hungarian political personalities celebrated the 20th annivesary of the fall of the Iron Curtain between Austria and Hungary on 10th September 1989. Foreign Minister Peter Balazs said that this event comprised a turning point in the process to unify Europe. Justice Minister Tibor Draskovics recalled that a balance had to be found between security and freedoom in the control of the EU's external borders.

During a series of trips between 7th and 9th September Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini met Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. They discussed the effects of the economic crisis and their joint intention to explore greater economic cooperation between Italy and Latvia and to turn Europe into a competitive economy on the world market. The recurring problem of the Union's enlargement was also discussed. In Estonia discussions focused more on the issue of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish on 2nd October. Mr Frattini and Mr Ilves insisted on the fact that this treaty would strengthen the Union and make its activities clearer in the future. They also spoke of the Union's defence policy as well as energy requirements.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius travelled to Helsinki on 9th and 10th September on the invitation of his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen. Discussions focused on the economic situation, the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and energy and climate issues. The two heads of government also discussed research, development and the policy with regard to the Baltic Sea. Andrius Kubilius also met Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the chair of Parliament Sauli Niinistö. He finally inaugurated the "Baltic Way: 20 years later" exhibition at the townhall of Helsinki - this traces the history of the peaceful demonstrations on 23rd August 1989 that took place from Vilnius to Tallin.

On 7th and 9th September Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko travelled to Poland on an official two-day visit. He met Polish President Lech Kaczynski as well as Prime Minister Donald Tusk mainly to discuss Ukraine's membership of the EU, which Mr Tusk said he supported just as the country's membership of NATO. Energy security issues were also on the agenda; the construction of an oil-pipeline from the port of Odessa to Gdansk was a particular point of discussion. The two heads of State also adopted a road map for the preparation of Euro 2012 which the two countries are organising.

After having suspended the validity of the presidential decision convening early general elections on 9th and 10th October the Czech Constitutional Court confirmed its decision and invalidated the law on the reduction of the mandate of the Chamber of Representatives and the decision taken by President Vaclav Klaus on 10th September. However both Chambers of the Czech Parliament approved the draft revision of the Constitution on 11th September authorising the self-dissolution of the lower chamber in order to enable the organisation of the election. Approved in an accelerated procedure the article stipulates that "the President of the Republic dissolves the Chamber of Representatives if the latter suggests it in a resolution approved by a majority of 3/5." The project that has to be approved by Czech President Vaclav Klaus comes in response to the invalidation by the Constitutional Court. The lower chamber's vote on its dissolution is expected on 15th September. The new election date may be set for 6th and 7th November.

Slovenian and Croatian Prime Ministers Borut Pahor and Jadranka Kosor came to an agreement on 11th September on their border dispute. Slovenia announced that it was now prepared to lift the blockade on Croatia's accession process to the European Union. The two heads of government announced in a joint communication that "the Slovenian government decided on 10th September to suggest to the Slovenian parliamentary committee for Foreign and European Affairs that Slovenia lift its blockade to Croatia's EU accession negotiations." Slovenia has been blocking the process since December 2008. The EU said it was pleased with this outcome.

In the wake of the general elections on 28th June last Sali Berisha was re-elected to his post as Albanian Prime Minister in virtue of a decision signed on 9th September by Albanian President Bamir Topi. Sali Berisha announced the composition of his government on the same day.

On 8th September the Icelandic government received the EU accession questionnaire, the next stage in the process which started on 23rd July with the delivery of its candidature. "Receiving the questionnaire heralds a new stage for Iceland before becoming a full member of the EU," declared the Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir in a press release. The questionnaire contains 2000 questions divided into 33 chapters.

On 8th September Germany replaced Italy as head of the NATO force in Kosovo, KFOR. It is the 14th commanding force of KFOR just as NATO is planning a reduction of 4000 troops down from 14,000 to 10,000 by the end of the year. The new commander, Markus Bentler admitted that the task will be even harder with less troops.

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin officially left office on 11th September leaving power in the hands of the opposition saying that he "had a heavy heart" and did not believe in his adversaries' ability to lead the country. President of Parliament, Mihaï Ghimpu, as stipulated by the Constitution now ensures interim the function of Head of State. According to the law Parliament now has two months to elect a new President, ie by 11th November.

A Home Ministers' Conference of countries in South East Europe was organised on 9th September in Serbia. The aim was to continue cooperation in terms of the fight against organised crime, terrorism and corruption. On this occasion the Serb Home Minister, Iviva Dacic announced that a Home and Justice Ministers' conference for the region, together with representatives of the European Commission will be organised in Belgrade in September. The aim is to establish total cooperation to optimise the exchange of information and to keep a step ahead of any form of criminal activity, notably in view of the dangers caused by the future liberalisation of visas in the Western Balkan countries.

In the second quarter of 2009 the EU recorded a current account deficit of 55.1 billion euros. The figure published on 11th September by Eurostat heralds a progressive reduction in the deficit that totalled 73.2 billion euros in the second quarter of 2008 and 58.2 billion in the first quarter of 2009. The results of the EU's external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of 19.4 billion euros in the same period.

On 8th September the World Economic Forum published a report 2009-2010 on world competitiveness. Weakened by a fragile financial system and less macro-economic stability the USA took second place leaving the lead position to Switzerland which stands as the most competitive country in the world. Singapore climbs to third place ahead of Sweden and Denmark. India, China and Brazil have climbed up the ladder whilst Russia, severly affected by the economic crisis, fell from the 51st to the 63rd place. According to this report, although several European economies have shown declining results, Europe is still one of the most performant areas in the world. Six European countries rank amongst the first ten and 12 amongst the leading 20.

From 17th September to 25th October the Museo del Traje in Madrid will be holding an exhibition entitled "El esplendor de Alejandria" that displays around 20 costumes used in the film "Agora" by Alejandro Amenabar. Thanks to the costumes creator Gabriella Pesucci who won an Oscar for this collection takes the public to the legendary city of Alexandria that was occupied by the Roman Empire in the 4th century.