The General Assembly of the "Amical des Agronomes Français de Belgique" took place on 2nd February in Brussels. Pascale Joannin, Director General of the Robert Schuman Foundation spoke on the theme of "Is the Union ready for the next five years?"

Nicolas-Jean Bréhon, an agricultural economist, published an article in le Monde on 30th January entitled "The CAP is dead, long live the CAAP". He is the author of a Robert Schuman Foundation paper entitled "European Agriculture at a time of Choice: why believe in the CAP?"

The German government has just raised its growth forecasts for 2010 to 1.4%; the GDP fell by 5% in 2009. According to Economy Minister Rainer Brüderle, recovery will be "slow and difficult". The three main challenges to rise to are, short term, stabilisation of the economy, an increase in growth flexibility mid-term and the control of structural consolidation measures in terms of public budgets. With this in view a certain number of fiscal rebates are being undertaken whilst structural reform is being planned in terms of training, qualification, future technologies and even competition. In addition to this the morale of German businessmen continues to improve. The IFO index rose from 94.7 in December to 95.8 in January stated the Economic Studies Institute on 26th January. This early indicator of the German economy recorded its 10th consecutive rise.

On 27th January the IMF and the EU announced that they were resuming their anti-crisis aid to Romania. The total amount expected is 3.3 billion euros. The IMF has planned to give 2.3 billion euros in February and the EU 1 billion euros.

Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates has showed that he is determined to bring his country's the public deficit below the 3% mark by 2013. During a meeting with the foreign press on 27th January he explained that the Portuguese State had allowed deficits to grow in 2009 to overcome the hardest moment of the crisis but now it had to start balancing public finance to support stable growth of the economy. He reminded journalists that he had already addressed this type of recovery in 2005 when he came to power. In its draft budget presented on 26th January to Parliament the government is forecasting growth of 0.7% in 2010 which will allow it to bring its public deficit down to 5.2% after a recession of 2.9% in 2009.

The number of unemployed, those without work at all, declined in December in mainland France by 18,700 over one month to lie at 2.61 million at the end of 2009 but increases by 8,600 with those working part-time to 3.82 million announced French Employment Minister on 27th January. The number of those looking for work and who have not worked at all during the past month declined by 0.7% over one month to 2,611,700 on the mainland. However over one year in comparison with December 2008 the number of unemployed registered with the Pôle Emploi has risen sharply by 407,200 ie +18.5%. In addition to this according to figures published by the National Statistics and Economic Studies Institute (INSEE) on 27th January, the opinion of households with regard to the economic situation is almost stable in January 2010; the summarised opinion index has risen by one point in comparison with December. Household opinion with regard to living standards in France has risen clearly by +3 points.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou acknowledged on 27th January that Greece was suffering a "credibility deficit" on the financial markets. He announced that he wanted to absorb the public deficit by taxing richer households more but in spite of a tense social atmosphere he did not exclude using other means however. Mr Papandreou convened a ministerial meeting on 31st January to look into a precise timetable for measures designed to bring the country out of its financial crisis. He repeated that the planned measures in the stability and growth programme given to the European Commission mid-January would be achieved "promptly". "The economic situation is serious and we have to focus on this problem (...) I shall accept no changes," with regard to the planned measures, he said.

According to statistics published on 26th January by the National Statistics Office, the UK is no longer in recession: growth increased by 0.1% in the fourth quarter 2009 whilst it had dropped by 0.2% in the third quarter. Services increased by 0.1%, industrial production by 0.4%; growth was zero in construction whilst production in agriculture, forests, fishing dropped by 0.6%.

In December the unemployment rate reached 8.5% increasing by 0.2 points in comparison with the previous month and by 1.5 points in comparison with December 2008, according to Istat estimates. This rate lies at 26.2% amongst young people and 10% amongst women, 3 and 1.5 points more than the previous year respectively. As for the rate of occupation this lies at 57.1%, slightly less than in 2008.

On 28th January the special committee on the financial, economic and social crisis auditioned experts in view of preparing a report that will be voted on by Parliament in September. Several issues were addressed:the extremely high unemployment rate and measures taken by the Welfare State to prevent its growth, the need for structural reform, that would allow Europe to remain competitive, the harmonisation of social and fiscal policies, cooperation between the various international economic institutions. Reform and diversification of pensions given the budgetary costs of ageing were a particular focus of debate. Mario Monti, chair of the Bocconi University in Milan and former European Commissioner invited people to be optimistic because the "economic crisis might lead to the creation of opportunities for recovery in the integration process of the market in Europe."

On 28th January the European Commission published data for the month of January showing an improvement for the 10th consecutive month in the business sentiment and economic sentiment indexes. The first of these saw an increase (but remaining at a low level nevertheless) which reflects optimism on the part of managers with regard to orders and production. As for the economic sentiment index although growth is starting to slow it has nearly reached its normal level. Italy is the country where the rise has been the greatest (4.2 points) whilst it was less significant in Spain (0.3) and in France (0.6).

On 29th January the Spanish government announced an austerity plan of 50 billion euros over three years that aims to reduce drastically public deficit that is out of control and to provide guarantees beyond its borders about the strength of the country's finances. This 2010-2013 plan "implies savings of 50 billion euros" including 40 for the State and 10 for local authorities declared the government's Vice-President Maria-Teresa Fernandez de la Vega after the Council of Ministers. "The aim is for the public deficit to lie at around 3% of the GDP again in 2013", in line with the limit set by the European Stability and Growth Pact said Economy and Finance Minister Elena Salgado;in 2009 public deficit rose to 11.4% of the GDP. This austerity plan includes clear cuts in jobs in the civil service. In 2010 the civil service will only replace one civil servant in ten on their departure and "there will be no new temporary jobs created."

According to figures published on 28th January Poland recorded growth of 1.7% in 2009, the only country in the EU to have increased its economic activity this year that was marked by the world crisis. The GDP increased by 1.7% in 2009 according to initial estimates by the National Statistics Office. In 2008 Poland experienced growth of 5%.

The Hungarian Central Bank MNB reduced its main rate by a quarter of a point to 6% on 25th January after an identical reduction at the end of December.

The Davos Forum ended on 30th January on a note that was far from euphoric because as growth has started again the budgetary problems of states such as Greece are now the source of growing concern whilst the banks are reluctantly expecting enhanced regulation. The recovery of public finance will be one of the main problems for the world economy. States have increased their debts in order to bring their economies out of recession and now have to prepare to dismantle the exceptional, costly measures they previously set in place.

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council travelled to Poland, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. On 26th January he spoke with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about the exit to the crisis, climate negotiations and the preparation for the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2011. Both men also spoke of the informal European Council on 11th February next. This theme together with the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty was also addressed with Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker whom he met on 27th January. On 29th January he went to Prague where he met Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer.

On 27th January the European Commission asked Latvia and Hungary to bring their public deficits down below 3% within the set time whilst Malta and Lithuania succeeded in achieving an extension, since the deadlines established previously were no longer realistic because of a worsening in the economic situation. The four countries which, according to the Commission, have all taken adequate steps to correct their excessive deficits will have to fall in line with European requirements by 2011 or 2012. 16 other countries are subejct to an excessive deficit procedure. Whilst acknowledging "the worsening in public finances was inevitable as soon as the governments were obliged to support the economy", the Commission would like to ensure that Member States start to balance public finance as soon as possible, each according to a timetable that includes budgetary flexibility as a base for a crisis exit strategy.

On 28th January telecommunications regulators of the 27 Member States met for the first time in Brussels as members of the new Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). The new European telecoms body will give important expert opinions on the functioning of the telecoms market in the EU. It will also advise, support and complement the independent work of national telecoms regulators, especially when it comes to regulatory decisions with cross-border aspects. According to Vivian Reding, Commissioner for Telecommunicationss who suggested the establishment of this body in 2007, telecoms services could become a major driver of economic recovery in Europe. BEREC will play a crucial role in strengthening the single telecoms market and consistent regulation across Europe. Assisted by an office with expert staff, the new European telecoms regulatory body will in particular help ensure fair competition in the single telecoms market.

A joint customs operation as part of the ASEM (Asia-Europa Meeting) led to the confiscation of more than 65 million counterfeit cigarettes and 369,000 other counterfeit articles (shoes, toys, cameras, headphones, hats, caps, gloves, handbags etc ...) representing nearly 20 different brands. The operation led to the opening of other international investigations with regard to criminal activities. This joint customs operation coordinated by the European Commission/The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) had the code name "Diabolo II" after the successful joint customs operation that took place in 2007 and which was called "Diabolo I".

On 29th January the Committee for Rural Development approved the use of available funding as part of the European plan for economic recovery and the CAP healthcheck. Between the months of October 2009 and January 2010 all rural development programmes were modified and an additional amount of around 5 billion euros is now ready to be invested in agriculture, the environment and broadband infrastructures in rural areas. Most of the money will go to areas of biodiversity (31.2% in all, ie 1.5 billion euros) and water management (26.9% ie 1.3 billion euros). The restructuring of the milk sector will benefit from 14.5% of the total budget (0.7 billion). Measures associated with climate change represent 14.2% (0.7 billion) of this budget whilst support to renewable energies will be granted 5.6% of the additional funding (0.3 billion euros).

On 28th January the EU made its support to the Copenhagen Agreement on the Climate official and presented its commitments in terms of goals to reduce emissions. In a joint letter with the Spanish Presidency of the Council, the European Commission officially notified that it was the EU's desire to be linked to the agreement and for information submitted its goals to reduce greenhouse gases established by the EU for 2020. These include a unilateral commitment to reduce EU emissions by 20% against 1990 levels; a conditional offer was also made to bring this reduction up to 30% if the other major CO2 emitters accepted to take on a fair share of the collective effort. According to the agreement notifications had to be presented by 31st January 2010.

On 25th January the Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos presented the programme of the Spanish Presidency of the Union to his counterparts. The Spanish priority will be to implement the treaty with regard to external policy to help the Union become an influential player in the international arena. With regard to the economy Spain intends to promote the coordination of Member States' policies for sustainable growth oriented towards employment. Finally Spain wants to enhance citizens' rights, civil liberty and security as well as equality between men and women and to fight against violence between the sexes. Ministers gave the greenlight to the conclusion of an agreement with the USA for the exchange of financial message data as part of the fight against terrorism.

The German government has established a special microcredit fund of 100 million euros to help very small companies which banks refuse to make loans to, announced the Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen on 28th January. "All of the small companies" such as independent workers are particularly affected by the lack of credit.

According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute the unemployment rate rose to 18.83% of the working population in the fourth quarter of 2009 ie an increase of 203,200 unemployed in comparison with the third quarter. At the end of 2008 unemployment rose to 13.9%; hence it has increased by nearly 5 points year on year.

On 28th January the UK was the host for an international conference on Afghanistan together with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Afghan President Mr Karzai rallied nearly 70 countries to his strategy of "extending a hand" to repentent rebels and said that the Afghan forces would regain control of several provinces by the end of 2010. According to a final press release "participants welcomed the Afghan government's plan favourably with regard to offering an honourable place in society to those who want to give up violence". But the Taliban involved would have to cut their links with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations." The meeting was set up by an international fund to support re-integration. According to German diplomatic sources it will rally 500 million dollars. More than 140 million have already been pledged.

On 27th January in London a meeting took place to re-iterate the support of the international community to Yemen. A meeting of donor countries to Yemen will take place on 27th and 28th February in Ryad says the final press release. The meeting in Ryad will bring together both western and Arab countries under the guidance of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said British Foreign Minister, David Miliband during a press conference. "The meeting will not only be used to share analyses for a better distribution of aid to Yemen but also to establish joint dialogue with the government of Yemen with regard to its reform priorities," added the minister.

The Slovenian Minister for Higher Education Gregor Golobic signed a participation agreement on 22nd January with regard to Slovenia in the European Space Agency. This status will enable Slovenian companies as well as its students to work with the Agency in various projects. The Agency only grants the status of participant country if this is sufficiently developed from a scientific point of view to allow it to take part in projects.

In parallel to the visit of the head of Serb diplomacy to Brussels on 26th January, who hoped to make progress with regard to his country's accession to the EU, the prosecutor of the ICTY Serge Brammertz recalled that Serbia still had a "long way" to go in terms of judicial cooperation. Brammertz, who is to deliver another report on the state of cooperation on the part of the Serb authorities in May said that he was cooperating with the Serb authorities on this issue "on an almost daily basis", noting a "major change in attitude" of the Serb authorities in 2009. "But I do not want to give the impression that everything is fine and that we have made it (to our goal), not at all," he stressed. Serbia still has to surrender Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic.

According to data published by Eurostat on 28th January household savings rates declined in the third quarter of 2009 in comparison with the previous quarter both in the euro area (declining from 16.2% to 15.8%)and in the Union (down from 14.2% to 13.7%) whilst household investment rates remained unchanged (9.1% for the euro area, 8.3% for the Union).

According to estimates published on 29th January by Eurostat the annual inflation rate in the euro area lay at 1% in January 2010 against 0.9% in December 2009.

In December 2009 unemployment rose to 10% in the euro area and to 9.6% in the European Union in comparison with 9.9% and 9.5% the previous month and 8.2% and 7.6% in December 2008. In the euro area this implies the highest unemployment rate since August 1998 and since January 2000 for the Union. There are over 23 million unemployed in the Union at present ie +4.6 million more in comparison with 2008. The lowest unemployment rates were recorded in the Netherlands (4%) and Austria (5.4%) and the highest in Latvia (22.8%) and Spain (19.5%).

Bruegel has published a "paper for the attention of the new commissioner responsible for the digital agenda". In spite of progress achieved with regard to IT's and communications, Europe is still lagging behind the USA in this area notably because of a lack of a single ICT market and inadequate research in this area, which would lead to new markets replacing the old thereby forcing them to adapt.

The Art Museum, Louisiana in Humlebaek will be devoting an exhibition to colour until 13th June. This exhibition entitled "Colour in Art" presents over 100 works of art. The work of over 80 artists shows how they employ colour as a means of style and expression. The pieces come from the private collections of Swiss Werner and Gabrielle Merzbacher.

The new Folkwang Museum in Essen, which has a wealth of Impressionist paintings, opened its doors on 30th January. The opening to the public is one of the highlights of the European Year of Culture. The museum that was founded in 1902 built its reputation on the Impressionist treasures of the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries - these include Van Gogh, Gauguin and Cézanne - however these will not be on show before the spring and after the completion of a second wave of work. The new museum also aims to open up to modern art and will include photography, paintings, sculpture and applied arts.