Just as the 27 Heads of State and government of the EU met on 11th February in Brussels to support the euro and one of its members, Greece, which is suffering in particular, the chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, published an editorial on his site entitled, "Just a few lessons."

The Slovakian Finance Minister announced on 10th February that he was reviewing his growth forecast 2010 upwards to 2.8%. In 2009 the Slovakian economy contracted by 4.7%.

On 8th February the EU and the USA published a joint declaration condemning human rights infringements ongoing in Iran since the presidential election on 12th June, notably mass detention and trials, threats of execution towards demonstrators and the initimidation of their families and the non-respect of freedom of expression. High Representative Catherine Ashton also reacted on 9th February with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue.

On 8th February the European Commission announced the winner of the competition to design a new Union logo for organic products. Over the last two months nearly 130,000 people voted on-line to choose from the final projects selected by the jury from 3,500 which had been put forward by fine arts and design students. 63% of them chose the "Euro-leaf" by German student Dusan Milenkovic. The regulation relative to organic agriculture will now be modified and as from July 1st the logo will have to feature on packaging of organic products that have been produced in the EU - the rule will be optional with regard to imported products.

MEPs elected the new European Commission on 9th February 488 votes in favour, 137 against and 72 abstentions. The Social Democrats and the Liberals only gave their conditional support to the new Commission asking it to work as a college taking into account the various political orientations. The Greens voted against, saying however that they were ready to work on some issues.

The 27 European Research Ministers called on 8th February for the promotion of a new economic model based more on knowledge with an increase in investments in R&D, greater confidence with regard to researchers and greater responsibility towards citizens. In their opinioin science and research are part of the answer to the economic crisis. They agreed on the organisation of thematic conferences, the establishment of more detailed indicators with regard to investments and research mobility and to look more closely at the relationship between science and poverty. Conclusions were repeated in a declaration that will be unanimously adopted during the next "Research Council" on 1st and 2nd March.

On 9th February the German government adopted a draft law aiming for better control of the remuneration paid out by banks and insurance companies. It plans to increase transparency and to make these more dependent on companies' long term results. It is therefore transposing the new international standards adopted by the G20 in 2009. The government's draft law gives the Finance Minister the power to regulate the details of remuneration systems - for example with regard to their organisation, their control, how they are put together and their publication. This strengthens the competence of the Federal Office for the Control of Financial Service Providers (BaFin). The draft law is to come into force in October 2010 at the latest.

On 11th and 12th February the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton met Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger. Discussions mainly focused on the EU's military mission in Haiti, the EU's energy security, the situation in the Balkans, negotiations with Turkey, as well as on the common security policy.

On 10th February the European Commission authorised Bulgaria to receive subsidies to a total of 2.6 billion euros after the greenlight given on 9th February for aid of 1.4 billion euros announced by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. The new aid involves European programmes in the areas of competitiveness and transport, regional development and technical aid.

The Social Democratic party, Edek, which has two ministers in office decided on 8th February to withdraw from the government coalition accusing President Demetris Christofias of having accepted "unacceptable comprises" in the negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus. The decision brings the two year period of often difficult cohabitation between the three parties who were members of the ruling coalition to an end.

On 12th February the Spanish government announced that it had given the greenlight to the dispatch of 511 additional soldiers to Afghanistan which will bring its contingent there to nearly 1,600 men. "This new contingent will comprise three teams of instructors for the Afghan army, a protection unit and logistic support and support for HQ," said Spanish Defence Minister in a press release. Spain also intends to send a team of around 40 civil guards to train the Afghan police. The dispatch of reinforcements still has to be approved by the Spanish Parliament. Defence Minister Carme Chacon will ask MPs their permission on 17th February.

Estonia has earned itself the nickname of "E-stonia" not only thanks to its cutting edge IT sector but also because of the services it offers to individuals via the Internet and mobile phones. In addition to election via the internet (and by mobile phone during the election in 2011), Estonians can also purchase transport tickets or pay their parking lots with their mobile phones. They can declare their taxes on-line. The latter option is the inhabitants' favourite in this small country that lies on the shores of the Baltic; it comprises 1.3 million inhabitants and entered the EU in 2004. The "e-government" site is a portal for a range of on-line services from enrolment to State exams to requests for family allowance which are subject to a digital signature.

The Summit for action in the Baltic Sea took place in Helsinki on 10th February. Under the guidance of the Finnish Presidency Tarja Halonen, Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen and Ilkka Herlin, chair of the Baltic Sea action group, this summit rallied the heads of state and government and the ministers of the 11 states bordering the Baltic Sea together with many companies and NGOs. The aim of this meeting was to set goals to promote the protection of the Baltic Sea and to improve its ecological situation. Real commitments were made, the implementation of which will be monitored by an action group.

French Prime Minister François Fillon visited Kabul on 11th February. He re-iterated the firmness of French commitment with regard to its American ally. The French army will stay in Afghanistan "the time needed to ensure stability" he added.

In December 2009 the industrial production index dropped by 0.7% in comparison with the previous months according to data published by the National Statistics Institute (Istat) on 10th February. On an annual scale production decreased by 2.3% in gross data, but if the calendar adjustments are taken on board, ie the number of days worked, the decline totals 5.6%.

Lithuanian Health Minister Algis Caplikas resigned on 10th February after a corruption scandal in which his deputy was involved. He explained to the press that staying in government "would not make much sense" after the leader of the Lithuanian Parliament, Irena Degutiene criticised him in public.

The Netherlands gave its agreement on 12th February to the opening of the vital chapter on judicial power and fundamental rights which has remained in stalemate for a long time in the membership negotiations between Croatia and the EU. This chapter has been blocked for a year since cooperation on the part of Zagreb with the International Criminal Tribunal was considered inadequate by the Europeans. "This is good news for the government and for Croatia," said Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski travelled to Prague on 9th and 10th February. He met Czech President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Jan Fischer. They took part in an economic forum to increase economic relations between the two countries. They signed an agreement to fight organised crime.

On 8th February British Prime Minister Gordon Brown received his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov. He welcomed Bulgaria's decision to increase its number of soldiers in Afghanistan. The two heads of government also spoke of the European economic situation: they agreed on the need to implement economic reform and to promote the creation of jobs and growth in Europe. They also hope to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to energy and climate change, economy and security.

On 12th February Roko Zarnic, professor at the University of Ljubljana was appointed Environment Minister in replacement of Karel Erjavec, whose management as head of his ministry had been challenged by the Slovenian Auditors Court. Mr Zarnic is an expert in construction materials and anti-sismic procedures. He was appointed by the Slovenian parliament, 48 votes in favour 2 against out of a total of 90 MPs.

The head of Albanian diplomacy Ilir Meta indicated on 12th February that Albania had made great progress over the last six months and at present met the European Commission's criteria to benefit from the lifting of visas for travel in the countries of the EU. The EU abolished visa requirements for the citizens of three countries in December (Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia) after the finalisation of reforms requested by Brussels.

The Central Electoral Commission in Ukraine promulgated the final results of the presidential election the second round of which took place on 7th February. Viktor Yanukovich, leader of the Regions Party won the election with 48.95% of the vote against 45.47% for Yulia Timoshenko. The next president of the Ukraine, who cheated in the 2004 election has succeeded in changing his image and took advantage of the Ukrainian disillusionment with regard to the "Orange" leaders and their permanent rivalry. Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko contested the result saying that major infringements had taken place in the areas of Donetsk, Louhansk and in the Crimea. She intends to demand a new count of the votes in these regions via a court decision. However the OSCE as well as other observers present said that the election was fair and in line with democratic standards. Her action therefore has little chance of success in terms of making any significant change to the voting results or to the invalidation of the election.

According to data published by Eurostat on 12th February industrial production decreased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU in December 2009 in comparison with November 2009. In November production increased respectively by 1.4% and 0.9%. In December 2009 in comparison with December 2008 industrial production decreased by 5% in the euro area and by 4.9% in the EU.

The Bertelsmann Foundation has published an issue of its review Spotlight Europe devoted to the EU2020 strategy which is to replace the Lisbon Strategy. This new economic strategy is to focus mainly on sustainable growth, which is possible if new governance is implemented. The 2020 Strategy requires a real comparative analysis, a body of European experts and an increase in the European research budget.

The most recent issue of "Monde Chinois" published by Choiseul editions, is devoted to Europe-China relations. The study is entitled "Chine-Europe, fuis-moi je te suis."

As part of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union an exhibition entitled "20 Suits for Europe" is presenting its version of major literary works via fashion in Brussels. Twenty Spanish and also Belgian and Hungarian designers have contributed to this project. "This exhibition brings us closer to fashion and literature through fabric and the written word, two of the mediums that clothe our day-to-day existence; two of our leading industries; and two of the emblems of European culture," declared the Spanish Culture Minister, Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde. The travelling exhibition will be in Budapest and Madrid as from March and April next after having previously been welcomed by the Cervantes Institutes in Tokyo, Beijing and Milan and also in the towns of Istanbul and Badajoz.