EUscope,the new iPhone and iPad tool launched by the Robert Schuman Foundation, offers you all of what's going on in Europe, analyses of the elections, studies, policy papers by the best experts, positions on European policies and decisions, the European agenda. Download it - it's free!

According to a study published by the National Statistics Office on 13th October the number of unemployed receiving benefit in the UK increased slightly more than forecast last month. This rise in unemployed receiving benefit - 5,300 in one month - is the highest since January.

On 13th October Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs said she was concerned about the application of the Schengen border code that was signed 25 years ago. Amongst the major causes of concern she notes the problems pointed out by travellers with regard to regular or systematic checks that are said to take place on some internal border areas as well as the upkeep of major crossing-point infrastructures on roads which often go together with major speed limits.

On 14th October like their colleagues in Agriculture, the 27 Environment Ministers postponed the Commission's proposal by a wide majority with regard to allowing Member States to decide whether to allow or not the cultivation of GMO plants in their territories - asking the Commission to review its paper. This decision comes as a petition rallying more than one million signatures on the part of European citizens against the cultivation of GMO's has been delivered. If this is successful as part of the citizens' initiative it may herald the end of the European Healthcare Commissioner's projects - John Dalli has indeed promised to respond to requests for clarification by Council members before the end of the year.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered two different decisions on 12th October with regard to people, who have reaching the age of retirement, complained of discrimination. In the "Rosenbladt" case the Court said that the automatic termination of a working contract because the age of retirement had been reached was not necessarily discriminatory as stipulated in German law. However the Court believed in the "Andersen" case that the Danish state was commiting discrimination due to age, thereby depriving a worker of compensation under the pretext that he might receive his retirement pension. In this judgement the Court took into account the desire of the person to use his compensation to take up work again rather than retire as suggested by his country's administration.

On 12th October the German Chancellor travelled to Bucharest where she met Romanian President Traian Basescu as well as Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc. Ms Merkel called on the Romanian leaders to continue their reforms and to step up on legal security with regard to foreign companies' investments in their country. As far as Romania's hopes to join the Schengen Area are concerned next year Ms Merkel stressed that Romania should notably guarantee the absence of corruption and illegal acts when visas are delivered to citizens of countries that are not in the Schengen area.

The leader of the Flemish secessionists Bart de Wever (N-VA) put foward a new compromise proposal on 17th October on the reform of the Belgian institutions - which looked like a last chance for the country to emerge from the crisis ongoing since the elections on 13th June. Bart de Wever delivered the 50 page text to the seven Dutch and French speaking political parties who have vainly been trying for the last four months to form a government. Belgium's future seems more uncertain than ever after the rejection of this compromise proposal considered by the Flemish as a last chance to come to agreement. The French believe the compromise goes too far in the Flemish speakers' direction.

On the occasion of his meeting with the president of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek on 11th October, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias suggested turning over Varosha, an area of the town of Famagusta that lies in the Turk-occupied part of the island to the UN. Mr Christofias announced that if Turkey gave Varosha to the UN the Republic of Cyprus would allow the opening of the port of Famagusta to trade with the EU. In addition to this a new crossing point between the northern part of the island and the Republic of Cyprus that was inaugurated on 14th October - with many inhabitants in attendance who welcomed "the step towards peace". This opening is designed to open up the west of this Greek part of the island. The new crossing point is a sharply inclined 6km stretch of road that is still being worked on between the villages of Limnitis and Kato Pyrgos.

One of the biggest ocean windfarms in the world that compromises 90 turbines and which meets the electricity requirements of 200,000 households was inaugurated on 12th October in Denmark. The "Roedsand 2" park lies in the Baltic Sea some 10km off Lolland Island between the ports of Gedser and Roedby - 150km south east of Copenhagen.

On 13th October Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi met French President Nicolas Sarkozy was well as French Prime Minister François Fillon. Discussions notably focussed on Franco-Finnish cooperation, economic policy coordination within the EU, finance issues, employment and growth. In an interview with "Le Figaro" Ms Kiviniemi pleaded in favour of budgetary rigour in Europe and said that the euro was running too high adding that the G20 was due to discuss the monetary system.

The 'Fondation Alliance Française' organised the 'Etats Généraux' of the Alliances Françaises of Europe in Brussels from 15th to 17th October. This network includes 291 Alliances Françaises that are established in 33 countries and which receive over 88,000 students per year. This event brought together the presidents and directors of the Alliances and also personalities from the world of culture - including Bernard Pivot. The theme of the meetings was "What specific tasks in Europe are there for the Alliances Françaises?" This initiative gave managers the chance to exchange views during working seminars together with information and advice on their habits, the way of management and their perspectives for development.

The Hungarian Parliament adopted 332 votes in favour, one against and 13 abstentions a law nationalising the company MAL - the owner of the aluminium factory that was the cause of the flood of toxic red mud on 4th October - the most serious ecological accident that Hungary has ever experienced. Parliament asked the President of the Republic Pal Schmitt to sign a law that enables the State to take control within the shortest possible time span of the company and to seize all of its assets.

France and Italy advised in Rome on 14th October to maintain the CAP budget, and pleaded for a better regulation of the markets to protect farmers from price instability. French Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire and Italian Giancarlo Galan believed "it vital for the CAP budget to match its ambitions," in a press release that was broadcast after discussions in Rome.

On 14th October the new Dutch government led by Mark Rütte (VVD) was sworn in before Queen Beatrix. It comprises 12 ministers including three women. It is a government coaltition between the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA). It will receive Parliamentary support from the far right party of Geert Wilders, the PVV. The new coalition accepted to toughen up legislation on immigration notably with the prohibition on wearing the Islamic veil. It committed to saving 18 billion euros in the budget to bring the public deficit to below the limits set by the EU by 2013.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hosted European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on 11th October. They discussed the subjects associated with the upcoming European Councils, particularly economic governance. Poland will preside over the EU as from July 1st 2011 after Hungary. After this meeting the two men took part in a round table that heralded the 30th anniversary of Solidarnosc. President Barroso declared that this movement of solidarity was now part of joint European heritage and that today more than ever before solidarity was under test.

During a visit to Moscow on 13th October the head of British diplomacy, William Hague, declared to the opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, that Russia should play a constructive role in Europe and accomplish its promise with regard to democracy calling for dialogue to settle differences of opinion. He invited Moscow to enhance contacts with its partners in areas such as the latent conflict in Transnistria. William Hague hoped that Russia would fully implement the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreement on Georgia signed in August 2008 which includes the terms for the withdrawal of troops and the deployment of international observers. With regard to bilateral relations between the two States he recalled that Russia was a major partner for the UK. "The door is open to better relations, we shall see whether a door opens in return," he declared according to a Foreign Office press release.

On 16th October Armenia inaugurated the longest cablecar in the world - it stretches over 5.7km over the Vorotan Gorge to the medieval monastery of Tatev. Gathered at the foot of a mountain near the Iranian border, Armenian Presdient Serge Sarkissian and the highest dignitary of the Armenian Apostolic Church Karekine II made the first trip on board the cablecar alongside other guests.

On 15th October Georgia amended its Constitution thereby reducing the powers of the head of State to the benefit of the Government and Parliament - a reform that is said by the authorities to be democratic progress but which the opposition interprets as a manoeuvre on the part of president Mikail Saakachvili. Amendments were adopted by 112 votes in favour, 5 against and in the Georgian Parliament, which is mostly dominated by the United National Movement of Mr Saakachvili. The assembly's leader, David Bakrade guaranteed that these changes would provide a better balance to power in the Georgian political system.

The new head of the European Police and Justice Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Xavier Bout de Marnhac entered office on 15th October replacing Yves de Kermabon. Mr Bout de Marnhac who commanded NATO forces in Kosovo (KFOR) from 2007-2008 set his main goals as being the establishment of rule of law in the north of Kosovo and to fight against organised crime. EULEX comprises some 3,000 people. The European Mission aims to aid the strengthening of the rule of law in Kosovo in the areas of police, customs and justice. Kosovo proclaimed independence in February 2008 and this has been acknowledged by 70 countries to date.

On 12th October Moldova ratified the Rome Status, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court thereby becoming the 114th country to acknowledge the Court's jurisdiction said the ICC. "The Status will enter force in Moldova on 1st January 2011 which will bring the total number of States that share the Rome Status to 114," indicated the ICC in a press release. The ICC was established in the Hague in 2002 and is the first permanent international tribunal responsible for judging the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.

Work on the Gothard railway tunnel - the longest in the world (57km in length 2,000m below ground) were finalised on 15th October. The "tunnel of the century" as it is called in the Swiss media will enable a 2 hour 40 minute link from Zurich to Milan as of 2017.

Viktor Yanukovich, President of the Ukraine was guest on 14th October in Vilnius to Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania. He confirmed his desire for Ukraine to enter the EU. In his opinion "Ukraine is determined to integrate the EU as much as Europe is determined to accept it." Ms Grybauskaite announced that Lithuania would support Ukraine in its work to integrate Europe. The two heads of State said they would step up economic cooperation between their countries.

During her visit to the Balkans on 12th October American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton met Serb President Boris Tadic and members of the outgoing Bosnian collegial presidency (Haris Silajdzic, Nebojsa Radmanovic and Zeljko Komsic). On the issue of Kosovo's independence the Secretary of State asked Mr Tadic for greater cooperation with Pristina. The launch of dialogue said Ms Clinton would guarantee better relations between Serbia and its neighbours as well as with the EU and the USA. In Sarajevo Ms Clinton confirmed the USA's commitment to matters in Bosnia-Herzegovina and its wish to help both politically and economically. For their part the three members of the presidency said that accession to the EU and NATO would help Bosnia-Herzegovina's development.

On 12th October the General Assembly of the UN elected South Africa, Germany, Columbia, India and Portugal as non-permanent members of the Security Council for a two year mandate as from 1st January 2011. They will replace Austria, Japan, Mexico, Uganda and Turkey. The Security Council will therefore bring together as from 2011 five newly elected members but also Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria elected for the period 2010-2012 as well five permanent members of the Security Council which are China, USA, Russia, France and the UK.

The 28 NATO countries, which met in Brussels on 14th October, debated a new "strategic concept" put forward by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. His text speaks of growing threats: international terrorism, balistic and nuclear proliferation, blockages in the supplies of fossil fuels and IT warfare. The meeting presented an opportunity for France and Germany to show their differences with regard to strategic defence. Whilst the former defends the upkeep of its nuclear arsenal and its decision making autonomy, the latter believes that dissuasion is an outmoded idea, that airborne nuclear bombs that the Pentagon maintains in European territory should be dismantled and the implementation by NATO of an anti-missile shield in Europe may enable it to turn the page finally on the Cold War.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 13th October industrial production (corrected according to seasonal variations) rose by 1% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU in August 2010 in comparison with the previous month. In July production increased by 0.1% in both areas. In August 2010 in comparison with August 2009 industrial production increased by 7.9% in the euro area and by 7.5% in the EU.

According to a Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission that was published in October in which 27,000 households were interviewed across the EU with regard to their use of the internet, telephone and TV nearly all European households have access to a telephone (98%). Household access to computers (64%) and internet at home (57%) continues to develop across Europe but access levels are far from being homogeneous from country to country. Nearly all households in the EU have access to TV (98%). In addition to this households are concerned about cost, quality and security of the service as well as on-line freedom.

The Swedish Institute for European Studies (SIEPS) has just published a report by Philip R Lane which looks into the European perspective with regard to external imbalance - "A European Perspective on External Imbalances".

Just days before the 13th Francophonie Forum (French speaking communities forum) that will take place in Montreux (Switzerland) from 22nd to 24th October the review 'Géoéconomie' by the Choiseul Institute is devoting its latest edition to "La Francophonie face à la mondialisation" - The French Speaking Community and Globalisation. It looks into 'Francophonie' from an institutional, linguistic, cultural and economic point of view - an opportunity to recall that its aura does not match it original objectives.

The Prado Museum in Madrid is devoting an exhibition to Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) entitled "Passion for Renoir. The Sterling Collection and the Francine Clark Art Institute". A selection of 31 exceptional paintings by the French impressionist will be on show from 19th October to 6th February 2011.