The Warsaw Economic Forum and the Centre for Transatlantic Relations of the Johns Hopkins Univesity are organising a seminar on 9th and 10th December in Washington on the feasibility of "Forging a Transatlantic Consensus on Russia: Recommendations for Action." Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, will speak on the theme "Political Values and Traditions: Commonalities and Differences."

Approved by the State by the decree on 18th January, 1992 published in the Journal Officiel on 21st February, 1992, the Robert Schuman Foundation can receive donations from private persons and companies. Tax payers benefit from an income tax rebate equal to 66% of the amount donated. It is limited to 20% of taxable income (art. 200-3 C.G.I). Companies liable to income tax or company tax benefit from a rebate of 60% limited to 0.5% of their turnover. (art. 238 bis 2 CGI). Private parties who pay solidarity tax on wealth can deduct 75% of the total of their donation up to a limit of 50,000 euro (art 885-0 V bis A C.G.I). Support the Robert Schuman Foundation - it works every day to improve understanding about Europe and facilitate access to it. You can make a secure, on-line donation on the Foundation's site.

According to figures adjusted to seasonal variations published on 2nd December by the national statistics institute, Statistics Denmark, the unemployment rate remained stable in October in Denmark at 4.2% of the working population. The number of unemployed did increase slightly though and lay at 115,700 said the institute in a press release. Gross unemployment in October was 170,300 people (6.2%) against 169,100 (6.2%) in September.

According to a report published on 1st December under the title: "World Economic Situation and Prospects for 2011" the UN estimates that a decline in economic recovery has been visible since the middle of 2010, and that a slowing in world economic activity is to be anticipated. The latter is evaluated at 3.1% in 2011 and 3.5% in 2012 - levels which are too low to recreate jobs destroyed by the financial crisis. The report deplores the decline in the spirit of cooperation between the main economies and the "lack of coordination in monetary policies, which has become a source of turbulence and uncertainty on the financial markets."

According to the latest quarterly statistics published by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on December 1st the value of world merchandise trade only increased by 18% in the third quarter between 2009 and 2010, in comparison with 26% in the second quarter. With regard to the EU trade towards third countries increased more than intra-community trade.

The number of unemployed rose in Spain by 24,318 people in November the lowest increase over the last 12 months. In a press release on 2nd December Secretary of State for Employment Mari Luz Rodriguez indicated that this was not a cause for joy but the trend should be interpreted as a "normalisation in the labour market."

The Portuguese government adopted a draft revision of the budgetary law on 2nd December aiming notably to establish a limit to the deficit of administrations and to create an independent council on public finances. The draft law adopted in the council of ministers plans to define a limit to the deficit of public administrations in the budget so that Portugal's commitments to Europe can be respected said the government in a press release.

On 30th November the Slovenian Statistics Office announced a sharp slowing in the GDP which recorded growth of 0.3% in comparison with 1% the previous quarter. The reason for this is the decline in investments and low consumption said the Office. Exports are still the main driver behind economic growth. The inflation rate, calculated according to the ECB's harmonised European index lay at 1.6% in comparison with 2.1% the previous month.

On 2nd December the ratings agency Standard and Poor's announced that it was planning to reduce Greece's long term debt rating because of creditor uncertainty over the EU's plan for debt for countries in the euro area. The Greek State's rating (BB+) was placed "under negative surveillance", this means that S&P is allowing three months to see whether the plan announced on 28th November will affect its solvency appreciation of the country. S&P forecasts that Greece "may be a candidate for additional funding" after 2013, "in addition to the funds already received from the IMF and other euro area governments".

The Swedish economy witnessed record growth in the third quarter of 2010. According to a press release from the Swedish statistics office on 29th November the Swedish GDP increased by 2.1% in comparison with the previous quarter and by 6.9% over one year ie the biggest annual rise in 17 years. According to a press release by the same office on 2nd December, in addition to this Swedish foreign merchandise trade increased sharply in the third quarter of 2010 in comparison with 2009. The rise in exports which reached a volume of 16.6% was especiallyt beneficial to the car industry which experienced a rise of 42%. Imports experienced a rise of 19.2% which benefited all sectors particularly the mechanical and transport industries.

The unemployment rate in France remained stable at 9.3% on the mainland. Over one year according to figures published by the INSEE on 2nd December unemployment was up by 0.1% to 2,631,000 on the mainland. However unemployment amongst the 15-24 year olds has increased much more to reach 24.2%.

During its meeting on 2nd December the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided that its main rates would remain unchanged: interest rates on main refinancing operations as well as those on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility would remain at 1% and 1.75% and 0.25% respectively. In 2010 the ECB reviewed its growth forecast in the euro area slightly upwards to 1.7%. In 2011 growth is due to be 1.4% and inflation 1.8%; in 2012 growth is due to be 1.7% and inflation 1.5%. ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said that the economy was "improving gradually quarter after quarter." The ECB is also to continue its bond purchase programme said Mr Trichet who refused to say anything further about the amounts planned. The ECB decided to extend its refinancing facility at a fixed, unlimited rate over three months in support of banks until the end of March 2011.

On 1st December the Irish government published the document detailing the rescue agreement which the EU/IMF adopted on 28th November for a total of 85 billion euros. This is designed to reassure the markets and boost the Irish banks. Of the 85 billion euros in loans over three years, 35 billion will be given to the banking sector that is heavily indebted after the collapse of the real estate bubble which plunged the country into a recession and pushed the national public debt to new heights. 10 billion euros will be used for "immediate recapitalisation measures" and 25 billion for support measures to banks if necessary. The remaining 50 billion euros will be used to cover Ireland's budgetary requirements.

Poland's GDP increased by 1.3% in the third quarter of 2010 in comparison with the previous quarter according to data adjusted to seasonal variations and by 4.7% in comparison with the third quarter of 2009 announced the National Statistics Bureau on 30th November.

The 2010 growth forecast was officially revised upwards on 29th November - which is good news for the British government. According to the Budgetary Responsibility Office, the country's GDP will increase by 1.8% this year whilst the previous forecast dating back to June counted on a rise of 1.2% only.

The rating agency Moody's announced on 6th December that it had reduced Hungary's sovereignty rating from Baa1 to Baa3 due to "increasing concern" over the mid and long term budgetary situation which may lead to a downturn. Moody's may reduce this rating again "if the government does not succeed in stabilising its financial situation," indicates a press release. This decrease in the rating attributed to Hungarian bonds in foreign currency and forints - the local currency - was also decided because of the country's greater vulnerability with regard to external shocks" in comparison with most of the other countries that are ranked notes the agency.

On 4th December the Commission launched a website enabling public authorities and all of those who want to act in support of the environment to choose the cleanest, most energy efficient car. The site provides information about European and national legislation with regard to clean, energy efficient vehicles. It enables access to the biggest European database of technical data about vehicles and facilitates joint procurement.

The European Commission started a public consultation on 1st December that will last until May 2011 to launch the reform of VAT. The goal is to give all of the parties involved the opportunity to express their opinion over VAT problems and the means to remedy them. After this consultation the Commission will offer a more stable, stronger, more effective VAT system for the future.

The representatives of the Member States and the European Parliament came to an agreement on 30th November on the outlines of the citizens' initiative that with 1 million signatures will oblige the Commission to look into a legislative issue. Until now the Commission had total power over the legislative initiative - ie the power to formulate proposals that are then submitted to Council and Parliament. But thanks to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty citizens will now be able to influence directly the European legislative process. It should be noted that the admissibility of a request will be examined by the Commission's legal services as soon as it is recorded. The signatories, who must be of voting age in European elections will have to come from at least one quarter of the Member States for a petition to be valid. The agreement still has to be approved formally by the Member States as well as by MEPs who will vote in the plenary session on 16th December.

Just after the official launch of the European External Action Service the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the Security Policy, Catherine Ashton confirmed two new appointments in the EU's diplomatic service on 2nd December. She appointed Robert Cooper as Counsellor to the European External Action Service and Agostino Miozzo as Managing Director for Crisis Response. The European External Action Service led by Pierre Vimont is due to be fully operational in 2011.

From now on infringements committed on the road when drivers are abroad will not go unpunished, notably with regard to the four most fatal crimes which are at the origin of 75% of deaths on the road: speeding, non-respect of traffic lights, the non-respect of wearing seat belts and drunk driving. This decision follows an agreement on the part of the 27 Transport Ministers on 3rd December. In addition to this the ministers discussed the creation of a single European rail transport area that is due to modernise the railway sector. Finally the German, Luxembourg, Belgian, Swiss, Dutch and French Ministers signed an agreement to create the Functional Airspace Block – Central Europe, a key stage in completing the Single European Sky.

On 29th November the 27 Agriculture Ministers discussed the Commission's communication entitled "The CAP in 2020" thereby opening the institutional debate on this issue. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must be reformed if sustainable food security and the rural economy are to be maintained. The debate over the CAP reform will be discussed during the European Council on 16th and 17th December next. With regard to fishing Ministers came to a political agreement over fishing opportunities affecting certain deep-sea stocks in 2011 and 2012. They decided on slight quota restrictions on deep-sea fish.

The Council and the European Parliament which met on 30th November within the Conciliation Committee came to an agreement over passengers rights in coach travel with regard to compensation and assistance in the event of an accident, non-discrimination, assistance for the handicapped or for those with reduced mobility, rights in the event of cancellation or delay, information to give to passengers and the processing of complaints. The agreement now has to be validated by the European Parliament (by the majority of votes cast) and by the Council (voting by a qualified majority) for the regulation to be adopted.

On 3rd December the head of the EU's diplomacy Catherine Ashton acknowledged the victory of Alassane Ouattara in the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire and issued a warning to the supporters of his adversary, Laurent Gbagbo. "I congratulate Mr Ouattara on his victory," indicated Ms Ashton in a declaration in which she "called on all parties in the electoral process to respect the will of the people" and to "accept the results, as certified by the special representative of the UN's Secretary General Youn-jin Choi". On 4th December the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso re-iterated his support of Alassane Ouattara whom he considers to be the "legitimate victor" of the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire. "I join with the messages of congratulations on the part of the international community sent to Mr Alassane Ouattara and I hail him as the legitimate winner of these democratic elections," he declared in a press release.

On 30th November the German government adopted a new aerospace strategy that aims to consolidate the German position in this technological sector. Economy and Technology Minister, Rainer Brüderle said, "Via this new strategy the government is highlighting the importance it is giving to aerospace - a key technology for the future of our country."

On 2nd December the Bundestag, the lower Chamber in the German Parliament, extended three of the Bundeswehr's mandates. These were the German army's participation in the NATO operation, "Active Endeavour" in the Mediterranean (extended until end of 2011), operation "Althea" undertaken by the EU in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as operation "Atalanta" off the Somalian coast also undertaken by the EU (extended by one year).

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet is the winner of the Charlemagne Prize 2011 for his work in support of the stability of the euro in spite of the crisis that is ongoing in the euro area said the people who organise this German award on 4th December. The prize that will be delivered in Aachen was given "to this European executive" for having vigorously helped "in these difficult times towards the cohesion of monetary union, the stability of the euro and the maintenance of competitiveness in Europe," said the Charlemagne Prize organisation in a press release.

On 6th December the Finance Minister of the German Federal Republic and Member of the Board of the Robert Schuman Foundation was appointed Finance Minister of the Year by a jury of economists interviewed by the Financial Times (FT). Right through the year the German minister "acted courageously" comments the newspaper which ranked the major Finance Ministers from 19 of the most important European economies for the 5th time running. On 1st December the first "Grand Economy Prize" a rewards for the person "who embodies the most remarkable economic event" of the year was given in Paris by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing together with his French counterpart Christine Lagarde. The distinction was awarded by the daily "Les Echos" and Radio Classique together with the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer consultancy "for real action undertaken in the public domain, world affairs or the academic sphere in France or abroad," stressed the Echos press release.

Spanish Prime Minister José Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero announced a "series of measures" designed to reduce the State's financial requirements in 2011 down from 45 billion euros to 31. Amongst these feature the suppression of exceptional benefits for the unemployed who no longer have the right to payments (non-renewal as from February of the 426 euro benefit for long term unemployed), a tax reduction on SME's, a rise in tobacco prices as from 1st January and a series of partial privatisations (49% of Aena - a company that manages 47 Spanish airports and up to 30% of the state lottery company). In addition to this anti-crisis arsenal Madrid is making a step towards an area which is dear to the IMF in particular: the reform of retirement pensions which it has been talked of for over a year. It also plans to delay the age of retirement from 65 to 67.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was host to his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on 30th November in Moscow. They stressed the close economic relations between Russia and Hungary, notably with regard to direct investments.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hosted his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Warsaw on 1st December. They discussed the priorities of the future Hungarian presidency of the European Council and European issues. They also discussed the Eastern Partnership.

On 5th December Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met the heads of government of the Baltic States in Warsaw. During the meeting the four leaders advised on joint action with regard to energy security particularly as far as the nuclear power plant in Lithuania is concerned. The EU's financial policy was also on the agenda.

The EU's membership of the Council of Europe's Convention with regard to the fight against human trafficking would guarantee "the uniform application of its high standards and its approach to Human Rights right across Europe," said participants in a Conference "Parliamants united against Human Trafficking" on 3rd December in Paris, organised by the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 'PACE'. To this end participants decided to address this issue in their relations with the EU's institutions particularly with the European Parliament." The final declaration highlights "the effective implementation of the Convention's measures by the States is the main challenge to be met," and expresses the belief that "national parliaments must play an active role in monitoring its implementation."

According to Eurostat figures published on 30th November unemployment lay at 10.1% in October 2010 in the euro area against 10% in September. It lay at 9.9% in October 2009. In the EU the unemployment rate totalled 9.6% in October 2010 - stable in comparison with September. It lay at 9.4% in October 2009.

According to a rapid estimate published by Eurostat on 30th November the annual inflation rate in the euro area lay at 1.9% in November 2010. In October the rate was also 1.9%.

The National Assembly's European Affairs Committee (the lower chamber of French Parliament) delivered an information report on 23rd November on "international negotiations relative to climate change." It relates the disappointing result of the Copenhagen Conference with regard to European ambitions and details its expectations of the conference in Cancun that is taking place from 29th November to 10th December and which is due to lead to the adoption of a series of balanced decisions.

On 2nd December the Bertelsmann Foundation published a study by Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian Prime Minister, MEP and chair of the ALDE group entitled "How can we save the Euro?" which looks into the impact of the financial crisis in the EU.

The Center for European Studies (CES) published a study on 2nd December on its site "GDP and its enemies. The Questionable Search for a Happiness Index". Its author Johan Norberg speaks of the confidence crisis that is affecting the GDP at present - a traditional indicator to gauge growth and wealth of the States and shows the different attempts at putting forward other indicators that take into a account the well-being of society rather than the level of production alone.

The work by Jean-Luc Sauron on "Procédure devant les juridictions de l'Union européenne et devant la CEDH" has just been published. He shows via various summaries and tables all of these procedures.

The 2010/2011 season at the Scala theatre in Milan will be launched on 7th December with the opera "The Valkyries" by Richard Wagner. On the programme this season are "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky, "Attila" by Verdi, "Death in Venice" by Britten and "The Magic Flute" by Mozart.

The Palazzo Ducale in Genoa is putting an exhibition entitled "Mediterranean: Corot, Monet and Matisse" until May 1st. The main theme of this exhibition - the Mediterranean - is represented in around 80 paintings undertaken by painters such as Jean-Baptiste Corot, Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch and Vincent Van Gogh. The works come from museums and collections the world over.

The Hunterian Art Gallery in Glasgow is putting on an exhibition "Blue and Silver: Whistler and the Thames" until 8th January. This exhibition brings togeter oil paintings, drawings and prints by James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)and bears witness to this artist's fascination with the Thames.

The Pompidou Centre in Paris is offering a unique exhibition entitled "Mondrian/De Stijl" until 21st March - the central theme is the work by the father of geometric abstract art - Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) the most famous figure of the De Stijl group of artists. The exhibition interlinks the artist's life and the De Stijl movement and presents around 700 works and objects.

The film "The Ghost Writer" directed by Roman Polanski won six awards including that of best film in the European Cinema Prize ceremony on 4th December in Tallinn.

The Museo del Novecento devoted to 20th century art in general and Italian art in particular, from futurism to arte povera, opened its doors to the public on 6th December at the Milan Cathedral Square. More than 400 works are on show. Entry will be free until 28th February 2011.

The extension of the Museum of Modern Art in Rome, the MACRO - an audacious red and black building designed by French architect Odile Decq opened its doors to the public on 4th December. For a total cost of 27 million euros the MACRO (www.macro.roma.museum) that already existed within the old Peroni brewery - a classical building that was re-converted into a museum, offered itself an extension of 10,000 m2. The museum entrance that lies to the north of the Eternal City near the Porta Pia is evocative of a Japanese Atrium garden. Thanks to this new wing the museum has tripled its exhibition surfaces to which can be added conference rooms, a library, a cafeteria and an underground car park.