In the 50th edition of the review, Géoéconomie, Pascale Joannin, General Director of the Robert Schuman Foundation signed an article entitled "L'Europe en 2025: géant économique, nain politique?" (Europe in 2025: economic giant, political dwarf?). Stressing the "remarkable potential" that the Union has and the "new genre" it embodies as a power she invites Europe to complete its political construction and to think in terms of being a power and to adapt to globalisation.

After having achieved major guarantees from its European counterparts with regard to defence (military neutrality), social affairs (right to life, education and family), taxation and the right to retain its European Commissioner, the government decided to submit the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty to the Irish again by referendum on 2nd October. Many Irish personalities have now committted "for Ireland to stay at the heart of Europe" (company heads, unions) and are notably pointing to neighbouring Iceland that wants to join the EU. Although the polls place the yes vote ahead (46%) many are undecided (25%). Just one month before the vote play is still open and the campaign that has just started has to be exploited to full in order to convince the population.

On 31st August last Greek Prime Minister, Cosata Caramanlis (New Democracy, ND) told the President of the Republic, Costas Papoulias that he would dissolve Parliament to convene early general elections (2 years earlier than previously planned - the elections was initially planned for the autumn of 2011). The head of government announced on 3rd September that this election would take place on 4th October next. The Greek Parliament (Vouli), which is monocameral, has 300 members, elected by proportional representation for four years. Five political parties are represented: New Democracy (ND) led by the Prime Minister has 152 seats; PASOK, the main opposition party led by George Papandreou, 102 seats; the Communist Party, 22 seats; the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), 14 seats; the People's Orthodox Alarm (LAOS, far right, 10 seats). According to a poll published on 3rd September PASOK is due to win 31.5% of the vote, the ND 25.1%. 21.6% of those interviewed said that had not decided yet.

Just one week before the election the opposition forces (right) are running slightly ahead of the outgoing (left) coalition. According to calculations on the part of NTB using 16 polls as its base the four rightwing parties may win 88 of the 169 seats in Parliament, the government coalition 79, with the two remaining seats going to the far left party, Red. One quarter of those interviewed said they had not made up their minds yet as far as their choice of party was concerned. According to the TNS Gallup poll, published at the end of August 76.4% of the Norwegians believe that Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will retain his position. Three government coalitions appear plausible: the re-election of the outgoing coalition comprising the Labour Party, the Centre Party and the Socialist Left Party, a minority government comprising the Labour Party alone, or a minority government allying the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the People's Christian Party.

Representatives of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee at the European Parliament debated the economic crisis and a new regulation framework for the financial markets with their American counterparts on 2nd September. The aim is to pinpoint the causes and extent of the crisis and to focus on settling problems. MEPs and the American representatives agreed on the improvement of contacts and the exchange of information.

France and Germany would like to enlist the EU to take the regulation of the international financial markets forward during the G20 summit on 24th and 25th September in Pittsburgh. During a meeting on 31st August in Berlin Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that they would draw up a joint letter. Germany and France are notably calling for real progress with regard to the "scandal" surrounding the bonuses granted by banks to their traders and managers. Both countries are to toughen up on bonus rules "whatever the decisions taken by the others may be."

According to the National Statistics Department of Greece (ESYE) the Greek GDP rose by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2009 in comparison with the previous quarter. In one year the economy contracted by 0.3%.

During a ministers' council on 1st September Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann spoke in support of a European tax on financial transactions that might enable the country to bring in between 1 and 2 billion euros without increasing VAT. Discussions focused on the future of the European financial system and on the running of the early warning system. The Chancellor spoke of the employment situation in Austria which at present has 238,803 unemployed and 54,429 part time workers ie 29.8% more than one year ago. The situation is due to remain tense for the next few months.

On 3rd September German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed a joint letter to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt whose country is presently presiding over the Council of the EU, in view of the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh on 24th and 25th September. Germany, UK and France believe that "a strong, joint message from the European States during the G20 will be a decisive prerequisite to guaranteeing the success of this summit" and will enable the implementation of recovery plans. The three countries are calling for the application of restrictive rules with regard to financial institutions to improve governance, enhance transparency and modify remuneration and bonuses. On 4th September Swedish Prime Minister Mr Reinfeldt convened an extraordinary session of the European Council that is to take place on 17th September to coordinate the EU's positioin during the G20 summit.

On 4th September the chairman of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet spoke in Frankfurt about the "crisis exit strategy" put forward by the ECB. Jürgen Stark, a member of the ECB's Executive Board spoke on maintaining price stability in a time of financial distress. On 3rd September the ECB maintained its key interest rate at 1%. Likewise the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility remained stable at 1.75% and 0.2% respectively. With regard to the euro area, the ECB is forecasting a GDP decline of 4.1% in 2009. Moreover the ECB has raised its growth forecast in 2010 by +0.2%.

During a conference at the Bundesbank on 4th September IMF Director General, Dominique Strauss-Kahn declared that there were signs of a return to world economic stability but recommended leaders to be extremely prudent with regard to this. He supported the idea that economic recovery had to be firmly established and a reduction in unemployment had to be seen before stopping the recovery measures that have been adopted to palliate the effects of the world crisis. He recalled that policies to emerge from the crisis had to be coordinated internationally.

Italian and German industrialists called on the EU on 2nd September to take "urgent" steps to facilitate company access to loans, criticising the Basel II agreements which in their opinion, limit loans offers in times of crisis. In a letter sent to Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country is chairing the EU and to the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, Italian Confindustria and the Federation of German Industry (BDI) say that "access to loans is increasingly difficult, particularly for SME's." Both organisations see "worrying signs of a credit crunch" in Italy and Germany, which "would have dramatic effects on investments and employment," according to the text sent out by Confindustria.

On 1st September the Hungarian government announced that it was preparing an austerity budget for 2010 in spite of the general elections planned for April next; it is forecasting a GDP decline of 1% next year after -6.5% this year. "The austerity budget is necessary because of the crisis. It is in Hungary's interest and quite simply it makes good sense," stressed Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai during a press conference.

The Icelandic economy, one of the most severely affected in Europe by the crisis contracted by 2% in the second quarter ie a recession of 6.5% in comparison with the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office data published on 4th September.

The Swedish Central Bank maintained its key interest rate at an all time low at 0.25% and improved its forecasts for the GDP this year and next. On 3rd September the Riksbank announced that it expects a recession of 4.9% this year followed by growth of 1.9% in 2010.

The G20 Finance Ministers, who met in London on 5th September, agreed on world rules to govern bank bonuses and on the need to maintain the significant recovery plans that were launched last year to avoid any further decline. The ministers of the main developed and emerging economies are prepared to accept "a set of world rules" on bonuses according to the text that was published after the meeting. They also discussed, without final agreement, the reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). British Prime Minister Gordon Brown inaugurated the working session.

Pawel Samecki, Commissioner for Regional Policy spoke to MEPs on 2nd September. The debate mainly focused on the future of the EU's regional policy, its usefulness to counter the economic crisis as well as on the preparation for a better future for the regions. The Commissioner also met the President of the Committee of Regions, Luc Van Den Brande. The latter re-iterated the added value of increased collaboration between the European Parliament and the Committee of Regions.

Members of the Civil Liberties Committee at the European Parliament voiced concern to the Council on 3rd September with regard to the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the USA on the transfer of data via the SWIFT network. MEPs question the legal base selected by the Council and hope to be included in the writing of the agreement. They are trying to guarantee better respect of the private lives of European citizens during the transfer of data.

On 3rd September the representatives of the Development Committee at the European Parliament insisted on the need for the 27 Member States to respect their commitments with regard to developing countries and more particularly towards those suffering disproportionately due to the economic recession. They approved a resolution with regard to the effects of the crisis on developing countries and on development cooperation.

Provisional figures for 2008 with regard to the EU's progress towards the Kyoto Protocol objectives were published on 31st August by the European Environment Agency. These figures show a reduction in CO2 emissions for the fourth consecutive year within the Union. The Commission said it was pleased with this result that reveals a 1.3% reduction in comparison with 2007 emissions rates and which contributes to an overall reduction of 6.2% in comparison with the 1990 levels, a reference year in the Kyoto Protocol.

Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Freedom, Security and Justice suggested on 2nd September the establishment of a "Joint EU Resettlement Programme". This programme aims to develop resettlement within the EU into a more effective instrument to give protection to refugees, providing for closer political and practical cooperation among EU Member States. This initiative concerns the resettlement of refugees from third countries to an EU Member State. Resettlement is the transfer of refugees, who have provisional protection, from the first country of asylum to another country, where they can start a new life and find permanent protection.

During a world congress on alternatives to the use of animals in science on 31st August in Rome the European Commission and the European Cosmetic Industry presented a joint financial contribution to alternative research methods to test the non-toxic nature of medicines. A total amount of 50 million euros will be granted to research programmes that aim to set the scientific foundations of future non-toxic trials, which are quicker and cheaper than experiments undertaken on animals.

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission addressed his main policy outline for the upcoming mandate of the European Commission to the European Parliament. José Manuel Barroso, candidate for a second term in office put an ambitious programme forward. The document mentions solutions to emerge from the financial crisis and to face climate change, the development of new growth sources and social cohesion as well as a programme for employment in a changing working environment. The President of the Commission will discuss his programme with the political groups in Parliament over the next week.

On 2nd September the European Commission presented proposals with regard to the possibilities for fishing stocks in the Baltic Sea in 2010. Scientific analyses have shown that cod stocks are regenerating whilst the western stocks of herring are still the source of concern. Based on these analyses and in line with the communication on fishing possibilities in 2010 and the pluriannual plan for cod in the Baltic Sea the Commission is proposing to increase fishing possibilities with regard to cod by 15% for western stocks and by 9% for eastern stocks. With regard to western herring stocks the Commission has stipulated a reduction of 21% in fishing possibilities. This proposal is to be debated during the next "Agriculture and Fishing" Council of Ministers.

On 4th and 5th September the 27 Foreign Ministers discussed the possibilities for a renewal of the peace process in the Middle East and the contribution that could be made by the European States with particular attention being paid to the situation in Iran. They debated on-going work that aimed to increase and make the EU's commitment to Afghanistan more effective.

According to official figures published on 4th September the fertility of German women is still one of the lowest in Europe with a rate of 1.38 children/woman in 2008 in spite of an active policy towards the family over the last few years. Germany which is facing a rapidly ageing, declining population is still running behind in terms of fertility with Spain, Portugal and Poland only just ahead.

During a lunch at the Elysée Palace on 2nd September French President Nicolas Sarkozy reassured his Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Christofia of France's "entire solidarity" with regard to his country as part of the peace discussions ongoing with the Turkish part of the island in view of its reunification. Rounding up the negotiations the Cypriot President explained that he was encountering "serious problems" but which he hoped were surmountable.

On 3rd September NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen met French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. The main subject of discussion was Afghanistan. He believes that it is necessary to improve cooperation between NATO and the EU in Afghanistan and to "coordinate military power and NATO's transatlantic commitment with the EU's financial and civilian resources."

In 2008 Ireland recorded its highest number of births since 1896 according to official statistics published on 31st August by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The fertility rate (2.1) has risen above the two children per woman level for the first time since 1990 thereby guaranteeing the natural renewal of future generations.

According to an estimate published on 31st August by the European Statistics Office, Eurostat consumer prices dropped for the third consecutive month in August in the euro area. Inflation is set to lie at -0.2% over one year, a slower pace than in July when this percentage lay at -0.7%.

In a study published on Wednesday 2nd September the OECD called on Iceland to correct the faults in its financial system and to adopt the euro rapidly if it joined the EU. It also recommends "vigorous" budgetary stabilization to balance public finance and invites the country to do away with capital flow controls as soon as possible.

The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has just published a study by Luba Azarch entitled "Zentralasien und die EU - Aussichten einer Energiepartnerschaft" (Central Asia and the EU - Perspectives for an Energy Partnership). This study mainly looks into European ambitions in the energy sector.

The Centre for European Reform has published a study by David Hannay entitled "Cyprus: The costs of failure". He looks into the effects of a failure in the negotiations that may range from disagreement between Ankara and Athens to collateral damage in EU-NATO relations.

The 57th cinema festival in Saint Sebastian will take place from 18th to 26th September. French film producer Laurent Cantet will be chairing the jury. 15 films are running in the competition.