Whilst the European Council has just stepped up the fight to counter terrorism, the Foundation invites you to read the article by Gilles de Kerchove in the "Schuman Report on Europe, State of the Union 2017" that has been published by Lignes de Repères in both French and English, offering many articles that are all interesting. Order your copy on line!

On 20th June the European Union opened new chapters in the negotiations that it is undertaking with Serbia and Montenegro in view of their membership of the Union. Two chapters on free movement of merchandise and regarding the European regional policy were opened with Montenegro. A chapter on external relations was "provisionally closed". With Serbia which has already opened 10 chapters, two new areas of negotiation were opened: chapter 7 on intellectual property law and chapter 29 on Customs Union.

On 21st June the European Commission put forward some new stricter transparency rules for the intermediaries, like tax advisors, accountants, banks and lawyers who design and promote tax planning measures for their clients.

On 23rd June the European Commission proposed investments of 2.7 billion € in support of 152 transport projects. With this the Commission is showing its determination to keep its commitments regarding connected mobility in Europe.

On 21st June the Maltese Presidency concluded a preliminary agreement regarding e-commerce with the representatives of the European Parliament in order to strengthen cooperation between the national authorities responsible for implementing consumer protection laws.

On 20th June the European Affairs Ministers assessed the mid-term review of the Union's multi-annual budget 2014-2020; they discussed the priorities for 2018 and the Council's programme for the next 18 months. They then discussed Brexit and the development of negotiations under article 50.

The 28 Energy Ministers adopted conclusions on Blue Growth on 26th June.

On 26th June the Council adopted a regulation regarding the energy efficiency labelling. The 27 energy and transport ministers also adopted a general guideline regarding the directive on energy performance and efficiency.

The Commission delivered a report on 23rd June on its partnership with Lebanon. Over the last two years the EU and Lebanon have deepened their partnership. In spite of the crisis in Syria the EU has strengthened its support by stimulating development and by strengthening cooperation in areas like security, education, good governance and trade.

China and Hong-Kong are by far the greatest exporters of counterfeit products in the world, declared Europol on 22nd June to the backdrop of an increasingly complex battle to counter sophisticated counterfeits. In 2015 the two territories "were the source of 86% of counterfeits in the world."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met organisations from civil society on 18th and 19th June as part of the Civil20 Dialogue Forum in preparation for the G20 summit at the beginning of July.

On 22nd June in his first major interview since he entered office given to eight European newspaper (Le Figaro, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Le Soir, The Guardian, Corriere Della Serra, El Pais, Gazeta Wiborcza, Le Temps), French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled his vision for Europe and laid out his main foreign policy goals.

On the proposal of the Social Democratic Party in office which rejected the previous head of government originally from its ranks, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis appointed outgoing Economy Minister, Mihai Tudose as new prime minister on 26th June.

On 21st June Queen Elizabeth II gave her speech to the House of Lords thereby opening the sessions of the British Parliament. The speech developed the government legislative programme for the next two years.

On 26th June British Prime Minister signed a government agreement with the DUP of Northern Ireland. This agreement provides that the DUP will support the government regarding draft bills associated with the Brexit, the budget, the economy, national security in exchange for an investment of 1.1 billion € in Northern Ireland.

According to a press release by the ECJ dated 20th June someone seeking international protection can challenge the decision of a Member State to transfer him/her to another Member State due to the "take charge request" sent by the first Member States if it has not be presented within the time limit laid out by Union law.

According to an EU Court of Justice decision delivered on 21st June, a citizen of a non-EU country and holder of a single work permit in a Member State enjoys, as a general rule, the social security services provided for all citizens of this State.

On 21st June several European Parliament committees published a paper on the responses given by Europe to the migratory since 2014.

According to the annual report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) at the Council of Europe published on 22nd June, the sharp rise in nationalist populism and xenophobic hate speech were major issues in Europe in 2016.

On 23rd June the Commission delivered its 7th report on obstacles to trade and investment that are directly affecting Union economic players in third countries.

Until 1st July the town of Roskilde is hosting the biggest rock and hip-hop festival in Europe (founded in 1971).

Until 23rd October, the Pompidou Centre together with the Tate Britain (London) and the Metropolitan Museum (New York), is running the most comprehensive retrospective devoted to David Hockney's work as the artist turns 80. More than 160 paintings, prints, drawings and other works are on show.

On 21st June the European Union won the Premio Princesa de Asturias de la Concordia Award, deemed to be the Nobel prize of the Hispanic world, for its "unique supranational integration model."

The Photography Festival of Arles will comprise 40 exhibitions this year from 3rd July to 24th September.

From 29th June to 13th July in Vienne (France) the annual Jazz Festival will be taking place with many artistic and cultural disciplines taking part.

From 30th June to 1st July the town of Montreux in Switzerland will be hosting many artists as part of its annual jazz festival.