According to the "winter economic forecasts" presented on 5th February by the European Commission the economies in all of the EU's Member States are due to start growing again this year for the first time since 2007. In 2015, economic growth is due to reach 1.7% in the EU as a whole and 1.3% in the euro zone. In 2016 annual growth is due to lie at 2.1% and 1.9% respectively. This positive economic outlook in the euro zone and the EU as a whole are being encouraged by rising domestic and international demand, by a globally neutral budgetary orientation and also by a "particularly accommodating monetary policy" undertaken by the ECB. Although growth perspectives in Europe are still limited by "an environment that does not favour investments, but has high unemployment levels," the Commission notes that a certain number of important factors have improved short term economic prospects since the autumn. Hence the acceleration in the decrease in oil prices, the significant depreciation in the euro, the ECB's quantitative easing and the presentation of the investment plan by the European Commission should have a "positive effect" on growth says Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs. The Commission says however that the decrease in inflation should continue in 2015 before rising again in 2016. It recalls that although the creation of jobs is gathering pace the decline in unemployment is slow. The unemployment rate should drop to 9.8% in the EU and to 11.2% in the euro zone in 2015. Finally the Commission stresses that deficits will continue to shrink in the EU to 2.6% this year against 3.0% in 2014 and to 2.2% in 2016.

On 4th February the European Commission presented a legislative proposal to release one billion € this year for the youth employment initiative which should multiply the pre-financing paid to Member States in support of youth unemployment by 30. The Commission believes that this early pre-financing could speed up the release of immediate aid and involve between 350,000 to 650,000 young people this year instead of the present 14,000 to 22,000. This new announcement is part of the "young guarantee" that aims to provide the under 25's with "a quality offer focusing on employment, training and apprenticeship within the four months following the end of their education or the loss of a job." The Commission's legislative proposal now has to be assessed by the European Parliament and the Council.

The chairs of the political groups at the European Parliament decided on 5th February to suggest the introduction of a special committee to assess EU Member States' tax rulings. During the next plenary session that starts on 9th February the European Parliament will vote on the creation of this special committee and its mandate. If there is a majority vote in its support it might start work within the next few weeks, once its members have been appointed by each of the political groups, represented according to the number of seats they have in the Parliament.

On 5th February the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hosted the French President François Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Kyiv. Mr Poroshenko thanked his counterparts for their driving role in the process to try and settle the conflict. The heads of State discussed the situation in the Donbass and the solutions that could potentially lead to a cease-fire and the implementation of the Minsk Protocol. François Hollande and Angela Merkel then travelled to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin on 6th February. The European leaders would like to appease the tension that has been exacerbated over the last few days by renewed fighting and the mention of a possible delivery of arms to Ukraine by the USA. A further meeting will take place between the Ukrainian, Russian and French Presidents as well as the German Chancellor on 11th February in Minsk.

On 4th February the ECB's Council of Governors decided that it would no longer accept the Greek State's bonds as a guarantee in its main refinancing operations. In real terms this means that the ECB has decided to suspend the special regime it had granted to Greek banks to date, which were allowed to borrow money with lower guarantees than those usually demanded on the financial market. Some interpret this ECB decision as a move to force the Greek government into accepting the negotiation path set by its European and international creditors. This firstly means coming to an agreement about the payment of the second assistance plan to Greece (130 billion euro) launched in 2012 and which will end on 28th February 2015. The last tranche of 3.6 billion € will be paid to the country only if the government accepts the introduction of additional reform rapidly in support of budgetary discipline. However the ECB decided to maintain the procedure whereby Greek banks can obtain emergency liquidities from the Greek Central Bank - the so-called ELA (Emergency Liquidity Assistance). By doing this the ECB aims to prevent the Greek banking system from collapsing due to a lack of liquidities. At the same time it is forcing Greece to come to agreement with its creditors.

Jorge Domecq, appointed as Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency took office on 2nd February. He said that he wants to turn the EDA into a "reliable agency at the service of the Member States." The Council's Policy and Security Committee has appointed a new commander to the EU's training mission in Somalia: Brigadier General Antonio Maggi will replace Massimo Mingiardi on 8th March. This mission is part the EU's strategic framework for the Horn of Africa. The Union hopes to take part in the establishment of a stable, prosperous, democratic Somalia; 4000 Somali soldiers have been trained since the start of the mission.

After visiting Kyiv and Moscow on 5th and 6th February with French President Hollande, Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a Conference on Security in Munich on 7th February. Ms Merkel gave a speech in which she insisted on Germany's commitment to the international arena but explained why she did not want to deliver arms to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Serguey Lavrov spoke positively of the Franco-German initiative but he was especially critical of the Ukrainian and US governments. Joe Biden, the American Vice-President recalled that the Obama Administration had done a great deal as of 2009 to build "constructive relations with Russia" but since "2012 President Putin had adopted another path." Recalling that borders were not to be violated and that "each nation had the right to choose its allies," Joe Biden said "he did not believe in a military solution in Ukraine but Russia did not have the right to do what it was doing and that the Ukrainian people had the right to defend itself."

On 3rd February the European Commission opened an "in depth enquiry" regarding the Belgian tax measure that enables businesses that are part of a multi-national group to make significant cuts to the corporate tax they are supposed to pay in Belgium. In real terms, via an early tax arrangement allowed by the Belgian tax authorities, this system provides an opportunity to deduct so-called "surplus" benefits from the tax base of a company on the pretext that it has the advantage of belonging to a larger multi-national group. The Commission fears that the Belgian system of "surplus benefits" is a major over-estimation of the real advantages procured by belonging to a multi-national group. Moreover this system seems "only to benefit multi-national groups whilst Belgian businesses which only work in Belgium cannot pretend to similar advantages." This procedure is one of a series undertaken by the Commission since June 2013 in virtue of rules pertaining to State aid and to practices implemented by some Member States in terms of "fiscal rulings".

On 3rd February the International Court of Justice delivered a judgment regarding mutual requests by Croatia and Serbia for condemnations for the crime of genocide. These requests were made following the armed conflicts that took place between 1991 and 1995 after Croatia's declaration of independence. This conflict led to around 20,000 deaths. The Court rejected Croatia's request, notably deeming that the acts committed by the Serbs at the beginning of the conflict did not aim to "destroy" Croatian ethnic groups in certain areas of Croatia reclaimed by Serb separatists, but to "displace them by force". According to the Court there was no genocidal intention. The Court also declared that Croatia had not committed genocide against the Serb population either, deeming that "although acts that were constituent of genocide had been committed, this was not on a scale that would illustrate genocidal intention." This judgment is final, without appeal and binding.

The Swiss National Bank's decision to give up the fixed exchange rate on the Swiss franc against the euro on 15th January has led to unexpected repercussions in Denmark. In 2000 the Danes rejected euro zone membership but the Danish crown has remained extremely dependent on the single currency since the crown is pegged against the euro, at approximately 2.25% thanks to the European exchange II mechanism. In fact margins lie at around 0.5%. The institutions that lost money in Switzerland are now looking to Denmark. To prevent a massive influx of foreign capital which would destabilise the crown the Danmarks Nationalbank (DNB) reduced its key (already negative) savings rate by -0.05% to -0.20% on 20th January 2015. This did not discourage potential investors and so the DNB further reduced the rate to -0.50% on 30th January and then to -0.70% on 5th February. There ensued the sale of 106.3 billion crowns on the market.

In a resolution adopted on 3rd February the French Senate expressed its reticence regarding the dispute settlement mechanism provided for in the transatlantic treaty (TTIP) as well as in the free-trade treaty with Canada. The non-binding text calls "for a change to be made to the arbitration procedure to ensure the complete transparency of debates and disclosure of proceedings, the independence and impartiality of arbitrators, and the effective establishment of a system of appeal against decisions before an independent tribunal"." The resolution also calls to "provide for the support of an inter-state dispute settlement mechanism based on the WTO's system."

On an official visit to Brussels on 4th February Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met the presidents of the three European institutions. After speaking with the President of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz and the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Alexis Tsipras said he was "optimistic" about the possibility of finding "a joint, viable and mutually acceptable solution" for the common future of the EU and Greece. Donald Tusk stressed the "need to find an acceptable solution for all Member States involved in the negotiations on financial aid to Greece". These negotiations "will take place within the Eurogroup" and would be "difficult", requiring "cooperation and dialogue, as well as a decisive effort on the part of Greece," he added in a dispatch. On his return to Greece Mr Tsipras indicated that he would put a plan forward to his partners next week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban in Budapest on 2nd February. Ms Merkel recalled the importance of fundamental rights in Europe whilst the Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister declared that different countries "can interpret democracy in a different manner." Moreover Ms Merkel highlighted that Germany would not provide arms to Ukraine and that a military option was not the solution.

On 3rd February Sergio Mattarella swore loyalty to the Italian Republic and to the Constitution before the Parliament which met in joint session (Chamber of Deputies and the Senate) and the regional delegates at the Montecitorio. He thanked his two predecessors Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Giorgio Napolitano. He then focused his speech on his wish to represent national unity and to defend constitutional principles "which cannot afford to run the risk of being affected by the crisis." The head of State believes that the priorities are the right to work on the part of young people and the completion of the reform process. In line with Italian tradition the new President asked for the immediate revival by the EU of the European project that should "represent a frontier of hope."

On 3rd February the Republic of Lithuania became the 19th member of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) following the adoption of the euro by the country on 1st January 2015. ESM Member States can only ask for financial aid when they encounter financing problems on the market if assistance like this is deemed necessary for the protection of the euro zone's financial stability as a whole. As an ESM Member State Lithuania subscribes to the mechanism's capital totalling 2.86 billion €, of which 327.2 € million in terms of capital paid.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted her Maltese counterpart, Joseph Muscat in Berlin on 4th February. During discussions they addressed the situation in the Mediterranean, notably Libya. They also spoke of the Ukrainian conflict and the stability of the euro zone. In a press conference Mr Muscat recalled that the stability of Libya was "vital" for security in Europe. "The European Union cannot act and then be surprised," he stressed. Regarding Greece he recalled that Malta "was against any lightening of the Greek debt but supported flexibility that would afford the country some respite."

On the occasion of a visit to Portsmouth (UK) British Finance Minister George Osborne unveiled a new national naval strategy that will aim to help the Royal Navy remain the most modern navy in the world. He notably announced the construction of numerous Global 26 combat ships to maximise the export possibilities and also the construction of a new complex warship every two years. With this strategy the British government hopes to guarantee that the Royal Navy will continue to enjoy the capacity it requires "to protect the UK's national interests" and "maintain its status as the most modern navy in the world."

The Labour Minister for Kosovo Aleksandar Jablanovic, a member of the Serb minority, was dismissed on 3rd February. This decision was taken to pacify many Kosovars who went out into the streets on 26th February in protest against the insults that Mr Jablanovic is said to have made against the country's Albanians. Demonstrators accused him of having qualified Albanian demonstrators as "heathens" as they prevented a group of Serbs from visiting a monastery on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas. The demonstrators said they would continue their action until the Minister resigned. These events led to the injury of 80 people.

The Vice-President of the USA was on an official visit to Brussels on 6th February. He notably met Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament and Donald Tusk, the President of the Council, as well as heads of the European political groups. His visit aimed to highlight the strength of EU/USA relations. Martin Schulz declared that "transatlantic relations have been tested over the last few years but there are more things that unite us than those that divide us." The Presidents of both the Council and the European Parliament called for a tightening in relations: "We must bring our continents closer together" and "together we have to face the realities of a changing world."

NATO defence ministers together with Federica Mogherini, the EU's head of diplomacy approved the Readiness Action Plan on 5th February. This plan comprises a series of measures that aim to respond to the challenges set by Russia, the Middle East and North Africa as well as strengthening the collective defence of the member countries and their crisis management capabilities. The NATO Response Force will become a division size joint force with significantly increased readiness capacities and highly capable and flexible multinational forces. It will be trained to respond rapidly to all types of circumstances. The Defence Ministers also decided to introduce a new "Very High Readiness Joint Task Force" (VJTF), which will include up to five manoeuvre battalions ready for action within two to three days. With this NATO confirms its determination to remain a "ready, robust, responsive Alliance prepared to face present and future challenges wherever they occur."

In the review "Vision Franco-Allemande" the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) has published "Which policy mix to end the euro zone crisis? New Franco-German Convergence" by Pascal Kauffmann and Henrik Uterwedde. This explores the "constituent elements of a policy mix and an economic agenda that aims to make the Economic and Monetary Union structurally viable and settle its serious economic problems."

The Pinacothèque in Paris will be unveiling its new exhibition on 12th February which is devoted to the Secession Movement - a vital element of Art Nouveau which developed in Vienna at the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition focuses on Gustav Klimt who played a major role in the emergence of this movement. The latter was the source of Expressionism - a major trend in modern art - just a few years later. The heart of the exhibition lies in a selection of Klimt's main works - from his initial years of study to the major works of this golden era like Judith I (1901), or the Beethoven Frieze, a monumental piece of work built to scale and on show in France for the very first time. The exhibition will run until 21st June 2015.