Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, signed an article published in the Figaro on 30th October with regard to the issues and challenges in the appointment and composition of the future European Commission.

In an editorial published on his site, Jean-Dominique Giuliani attempts to define the ideal profile of the person who will occupy the post of President of the European Council as planned in the Lisbon Treaty.

The Czech Republic is the only country still not to have promulgated the Lisbon Treaty. The European Council granted the country a dispensation from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Vaclav Saint-Chéran has published a legal and political analysis of the situation.

On Thursday 12th November the Robert Schuman Foundation is organising a seminar in Brussels on the theme of "The Stockholm Programme: an improved information management strategy for the area of Justice, Freedom and Security." This event will provide an opportunity to debate with representatives from the European institutions, Member States and the economic world on issues such as border management, inter-state cooperation, the collation and sharing of data and the difficult balance between security and freedom. It is obligatory to enrol.

Choiseul publishing has released a book by Pierre Verluise entitled "20 ans après la Chute du Mur. L'Europe recomposée" (20 years after the Fall of the Wall. Europe remade.) It is prefaced by Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation. Via many eye-witness accounts collated by the author which is the original feature of this essay, he pinpoints the main elements of the European saga. He gives us the keys to understanding the issues at stake and the perspectives for Europe in the 21st century.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall the German government has devoted a special area on its official internet site to this event. It reviews the historical events since 1949 up to the autumn of 1989; it offers eye-witness accounts of the fall of the wall, interviews, speeches and videos together with a review of German unity.

Former German Chancellor (1982-1998) Helmut Kohl, former American President (1989-1993) George Bush and former Soviet leader (1985-1991) Mikhail Gorbachev met on 31st October in Berlin. They said that it was their excellent personal relationship that had led to the successful opening of the Wall 20 years ago and to the German Reunification. They shared their memories of the autumn of 1989 prior to the celebrations on 9th November.

The Irish group U2 announced that it would give a free concert on 5th November at the Brandenburg Gate to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany will be commemorating this event both nationally and globally. Berlin will be at the heart of celebrations with various exhibitions presenting the events of 9th November 1989 as well as the life before and after this historic date. Leipzig, Dresden, Potsdam and other towns will also host exhibitions for the entire year.

On 29th October the European Commission indicated that the Economic Sentiment Indicator had increased by 3.4 points in the EU and in the euro area - reaching 86 and 86.2 points respectively). This increase, although well below long term averages continues along the positive lines started in March 2009.

The morale of German entrepreneurs improved for the 7th month running in October rising from 91.3 to 91.9 points according to the IFO index, the main early indicator in the German economy. This rise is however slightly less than that forecast by analysts. In addition to this unemployment declined again in Germany in October according to figures published by the Employment Agency on 29th October. The gross unemployment rate dropped to 7.7% of the working population in October in comparison with 8% a month earlier. In seasonally corrected data the number of unemployed dropped by 26,000 people, when analysts were expecting an average rise of 15,000. At the end of October 3.23 million people were unemployed.

According to figures published on 30th October by the Danish Statistics Office unemployment had now risen to 4.1% of the working population. Since June there has been an 11% rise in the number of people benefiting from unemployment benefit. The building industry is particularly affected with an unemployment rate of 8.6%.

In a letter addressed on 28th October to the president in office of the Council of the European Union Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested the establishment of a European pact for growth and employment. In his opinion Europe has succeeded in stabilising the financial markets and avoided a recession that could have been worse thanks to an active coordination of exceptional economic recovery measures and it seems appropriate to "deepen cooperation by restructuring our economies to face future challenges." Gordon Brown put forward several priorities: the upkeep of the recovery programmes until the latter has set in firmly, focus on the creation of jobs and training, support of sectors that will bring future growth and the suppression of remaining obstacles to the single market.

In September 2009 the number of unemployed registered at the Pôle Emploi and who are asked to actively seek employment increased by 1.2%. Amongst these the number of people without any real employment has risen by 0.8%.

The Belgian economy emerged from recession in the third quarter when its GDP rose by 0.5% in comparison with the previous three months according to an initial estimation on 30th October by the National Bank of Belgium. In comparison with a year ago the GDP continues to show a contraction of 3.5%, but which is less accute than in the second quarter (-4.2%).

The Bulgarian government submitted its draft budget to parliament on 29th October. The Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov stressed "the objective is to maintain a balanced budget." Revenues rose to 26.4 billion leva (13.5 billion euros) ie 41.6% of the GDP. Expenditure of 26.9 billion leva (13.75 billion euros) totalled 42.3% of the GDP which corresponds to a deficit of -0.7% according to a consolidated budget published by the Finance Ministry. The Bulgarian government is forecasting a contraction of the economy of 2% of the GDP next year according to the draft budget.

The 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 are emerging from the world crisis, but "recovery is due to be weak and uncertain" according to the EU10 Regular Economic Report by the World Bank published on 28th October. "These countries are due to experience a contraction of around 4.2% in 2009 and grow by 1% in 2010 and by 3.6% in 2011, in comparison with 3.9% in 2008 and 6% in 2007" says the economic report on the 10 new EU Member States (Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia).

The Czech Finance Minister announced on 29th October that he had reviewed his growth forecasts down for 2009 saying that a decline of 5% of the GDP might be expected now together with slight growth of 0.3% in 2010. In its previous forecast published at the end of July the ministry forecast a contraction of 4.3% of the GDP during the financial year 2009.

The 27 Heads of State and Government who met on 29th and 30th October granted a dispensation to the Czech Republic from the Fundamental Rights Charter. Hence, if the Czech President signs the treaty rapidly they will meet again soon to discuss the establishment of the new institutions created by the Treaty and the appointment of the President of the Council and the new High Representative. With regard to the climate they notably stressed the importance of coming to the financial aid of poor countries and agreed on a package of 100 billion euros by 2020, without however planning for any annual figures in terms of their respective contributions.

The 27 Foreign Ministers reached agreement on 26th and 27th October with regard to guidelines on the creation of a European External Action Service (EEAS) that will be the EU's joint diplomatic service. They also approved the EU's strategy for the Baltic Sea region. With regard to the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan they notably discussed the means whereby the EU can continue working in the region and adopted an action plan. With regard to Guinea they decided on measures to be taken against the members of the National Council for Democracy and Development and people associated with this organisation who were responsible for the violent repression and the political deadlock in which the country finds itself.

The 10th meeting of the EU-Southern Caucasus Cooperation Council took place on 26th October leading to discussions on the action plan relative to the European neighbourhood policy as well as recent developments in the region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia).

Swedish General Hakan Syren will succeed his French colleague Henri Bentégeat for a three year mandate as president of the Military Committee that rallies the EU heads of military staff. During a reception on 29th October in honour of Henri Bentégeat Javier Solana insisted on congratulating him on the 44 years of his "exceptional military career". He notably mentioned "reliability, wisdom and intuition as well as the "feeling for human relations" which General Bentégeat had shown as head of the EU's Military Committee.

On 28th October the European Commission decided to allow Member States to undertake single payments to a total of 15,000 euros in support of farmers and notably milk farmers. This total can only be granted once to each farm by the end of 2010 and any aid that has already been received since the start of 2008 will have to be taken from this sum. This decision is part of the set of measures taken by the Commission since September to fight against the crisis experienced in the milk sector.

On 28th October the European Commission adopted a communication that aims to improve the performance of the food supply chain in Europe. The food sector that represents 7% of jobs and 16% of household spending in Europe is suffering from the fall in commodities prices whilst the prices of consumer foodstuffs remain high. The Commission wants to improve trade relations between the players in the chain, to enhance price transparency and to open up the internal foodstuffs market so that the food chain works more effectively from the manufacturer to the consumer.

On 28th October the European Commission issued a legislative proposal that aims to reduce CO2 emissions on light commerical vehicles down to 175 gr/km by 2016 and down to 135 gr/km by 2020. These vehicles account for 12% of CO2 emissions in the EU. This proposal follows a regulation adopted with regard to private cars last April, and also includes financial sanctions if the limits indicated are not respected - bonuses will be given to manufacturers which develop technologies to reduce emissions.

On 29th October the European Commission adopted a draft regulation that aims to improve the effectiveness and the independence of investigations into the causes of accidents in civil aviation and to warn of new ones. The proposals talk of the creation of the European network of authorities responsible for investigations to enhance cooperation and the pooling of resources. It suggests the establishment of a European security recommendations database. Finally it aims to enhance assistance rights and information for victims.

The European satellite 'SMOS' was launched during the night of 31st October to 1st November by the European Space Agnecy from the Russian base of Plessetsk. This satellite aims to observe the Earth to map Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity in view of improving understanding of climate change. This satellite will lead to better, more adequate data for the study of global warming.

On 2nd November the European Commission launched the European automatic payment system the use of which will be progressive since some countries including France will not use it immediately. The automatic payment system means that the client allows his telephone provider, or electricity provider or other service providers to be paid directly by his/her bank. This system is already widespread in Europe but only on a national level.

For his first visit abroad the German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle travelled to Warsaw on 31st October on the invitation of his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski. He said "he was convinced" that Germano-Polish friendship was important for Europe. The Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski believed that present relations between Poland and Germany "were the best in all of their history" and that they were based on "a mature partnership", a partnership which Europe needs.

French Social Affairs Minister Xavier Darcos declared on 30th October that negotiations on professional and wage equality between men and women planned for November 2009 should lead to a legislative text that is not due to include quotas of women as company heads. Mr Darcos will base himself on a report by the General Inspection of Social Affairs (Igas) that dates back to July and suggests amongst other measures, financial sanctions against companies that did not respect parity. The minister will deliver a text on 6th November to the national committee for collective negotations before the opening of the negotiations themselves.

The Croatian Presidential election in which voters will be called on to appoint the successor to the present head of State, Stipe Mesic, will take place on 27th December. If no candidate achieves 50% plus one of the electorate's vote to be elected in the first round a second round will be organised on 10th January 2010.

Eurostat published statistics on 30th October with regard to inflation. The annual inflation level in the euro area lay at -0.1% in October 2009 in comparison with -0.3% in September 2009.

On 30th October Eurostat published statistics relative to unemployment. With regard to the euro area the unemployment rate lay at 9.7% in September 2009 in comparison with 9.6% in August 2009 and 7.7% in September 2008. For the entire EU the unemployment rate lay at 9.2% in September 2009 in comparison with 9.1% the previous month and 7.1% in September 2008. This is the highest level recorded since January 2000 for the entire Union and since January 1999 for the euro area.

On 27th October the World Economic Forum published its 2009 report on the gap between men and women in the world (Global Gender Gap Report 2009). This report analyses the inequalities between the sexes in four areas: participation and economic opportunities, educational levels, political influence, health and survival. It provides information with regard to over 93% of the world's population. Iceland is in the lead in the ranking which is dominated by the Scandinavian countries.

The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has just published the proceedings of a conference organised in March 2009 in Prague with the Institute for International Relations of Prague, entitled "Democratization and Security in Central and Eastern Europe and the Post-Soviet States" under the management of Kathrin Brockmann and David Bosold.

The Center for European Reform has published a study by Pekka Sutela entitled, "How strong is Russia's economic foundation?". The Russian economy is in the midst of a severe recession. Many Russians hope that an increase in oil prices will help the country to recover rapidly the high growth rates experienced before 2008. However structural weaknesses and a less favourable international environment may slow growth and have far reaching consequences on the stability of the regime and the international role played by Russia.

As part of its strategy to fight against tax fraud and evasion the Commission published a study on 30th October on the discrepancy between the amount of VAT due and the amount really received in 25 Member States as well as developments in these figures over a 7 year period. The study's authors believe that the difference in VAT totals between 90 and 113 billion euros per year over the period 2000-2006. In 2006 this difference represented 12% of the theoretical VAT total, with varying differences being observed from one country to another.

The Circulo de bellas artes of Madrid is hosting an exhibition until 17th January 2010 devoted to the French artist Yves Klein. In spite of a relatively short artistic career (1954-1962) Klein is believed to be one of the most important protagonists of post-war avant-garde art. He is notably known for the blue colour which he gave his name to and which he applied in a number of works.

The Museum Rodin is hosting an exhibition, "Matisse and Rodin" until 28th February 2010. The Matisse Museum of Nice and the Rodin Museum of Paris are joining their collections together to compare the lives of the two artists notably revealing the role given by Matisse to sculpture and by Rodin to drawing.

On 2nd November the Goncourt Prize was given to Marie Ndiaye for her novel "Trois femmes puissantes" published by Gallimard.