On 1st February the extremely unpopular Irish government was forced to convene early general elections for 25th February in spite of the fact that the party in power (Fianna Fail) and outgoing Prime Minister Brian Cowen will almost certainly suffer defeat. Several ministers have resigned, the Greens, the party in coalition with Fianna Fail, quit the government. The economic crisis is severe in Ireland and the country has had to turn to an international aid plan put forward by the EU and the IMF. The Dail Eireann (lower chamber of Parliament) comprises 166 members elected for 5 years within 43 constituencies by proportional voting according to a single transferable voting system. Five political parties are represented at present: the Fianna Fial (FF) of outgoing Prime Minister has 77 MPs; Fine Gael (FG) the main opposition party led by Enda Kenny 51 seats; the Labour Party 20 MPs; the Green Party (GP), six seats and Sinn Fein (SF) four MPs; Two MPs are independent.

In gross data the numbers of people seeking work in Germany increased by 331,000 to 3,347,000 in January and the unemployment rate lay at 7.9% (+0.7%). However in seasonally adjusted data unemployment decreased by 13,000 in January said the Federal Labour Agency on 1st February. According to figures published on 1st February by the Federal Statistics Office, Destatis, around 40.8 million people living in Germany were employed in December 2010; 427,000 people, 1.1% more than in December 2009. In addition to this the real German salary increased on average by 1.4% in 2010 after a decline of 0.4% in 2009 according to figures on 3rd February released by Destatis. The real salary takes inflation into account which totalled 1.1% in 2010.

The 27 Heads of State and government who met on 4th February agreed on an action plan to establish an internal, integrated, fully operational energy market. The aim of this is triple: diversify electricity production means for the EU, enhance networks to bring gas and oil to the four corners of the Union and to save it. In a declaration in annex to the Council's conclusions the Heads of State and government of the euro area promised to provide the monetary Union with true economic government. Hence it was decided to organise regular summits just with the heads of state and government of the euro area. The first will take place in March before the European Council. Finally with regard to the political trouble in Egypt they called on the country to start political change immediately. They stressed that the "transition process must start now."

In the European Union more than six million young people leave school or training schemes with qualifications which correspond at best to the first part of secondary education. Dropping out of school damages economic and social development and is a serious obstacle to achieving the growth goal that the EU has set in the Europe 2020 Strategy. This is why the European Commission approved an action plan on 31st January to bring the average school drop out rate in the EU at present at 14.4% down below 10% by the end of the decade.

On 3rd February the European Parliament ratified the Geneva Agreement of 15th December 2009 with regard to customs duties on bananas from Latin America thereby putting an end to a 16 year trade dispute. With this agreement the EU accepts ending a preferential regime for the ACP countries (Africa-Caribbean-Pacific) which export bananas and to reduce progressively European customs duties on bananas imported from Latin America. In exchange these countries accepted to dropt their complaints addressed to the World Trade Organisation.

On 31st January the 27 Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Egypt and Tunisia. They decided to freeze the assets of former Tunisian president Ben Ali. They decided to sanction Belarus often considered as the last dictatorship in Europe by freezing the assets of President Lukashenko and by banning him from having a visa - likewise 157 of this colleagues. Discarding the rapprochment policy they had been following over the last few years they were unanimous in condemning the wave of arrests that affected hundreds of opponents to the regime after the presidential election on 19th December. During the "General Affairs' Council the ministers addressed the issue of Roma integration.

In a joint declaration French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the President of the Italian Council, Silvio Berlusconi and the head of the Spanish government José Luis Zapatero called on the Egyptian President Hosni Moubarak "to start changes" given the "legitimate claims" made by his people and to "avoid the use of violence against civilians at all costs". For her part the High Representative for the EU in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, believed it absolutely vital for the Egyptian authorities to start dialogue immediately with the opposition to put an end to the present crisis.

Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero received German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 3rd February. During this meeting which was part of the 23rd Hispano-German Summit the two heads of government discussions focused on Germany and Spain speaking with one voice on economic reforms. They talked of laying the foundations of a "competitiveness pact" Europe wide and the enhancement of European economic governance. They also said they wanted to defend the Stability Pact for Europe together.

On 2nd February King Albert II asked outgoing Finance Minister Didier Reynders, chairman of the Reform Movement (MR) to find "the means to reaching an agreement by 16th February" with regard to institutional issues that have been preventing the formation of a new government since the elections on 13th June 2010. He also asked the Prime Minister Yves Leterme who is managing current affairs to "take the necessary steps with regard to an economic, social and financial plan."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon travelled to Cyprus on 31st January to 2nd February. In his speech on arrival he said that the solution to the Cypriot problem was "very close". The Secretary General hoped to encourage Cypriot and Turkish leaders to continue moving towards an acceptable solution.

On 2nd February the Spanish government signed a wide ranging "social pact" with the unions, for "growth, employment and retirement pensions," - a new message directed abroad and to the markets in particular which doubt the country's ability to recover from the crisis. This agreement targets three goals - growth, employment and the long term consolidation of public finances" explained the head of government, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as he signed the pact with the two main unions, UGT, CCOO and the main employers' organisation CEOE.

On 3rd February Estonia announced that it was going to provide free visas to Belarussians as a sign of solidarity with civil society in this country which is governed by an authoritarian regime under Aleksandr Lukashenko. "The government has decided that the embassy of Estonia would no longer ask Belarussian citizens to pay for their visa to Estonia," declared Urmas Paet, Foreign Minister.

On 3rd and 4th February Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere made an official visit to France. He met his French counterpart Michèle Alliot-Marie. During a joint press conference the ministers reviewed major international issues and mentioned the situation in Tunisia and Egypt. Discussions focused on Franco-Norwegian bilateral relations particularly energy, climate and environmental issues. With regard to issues linked to the protection of the environment Norway will host the 6th Ministerial Conference on Forests in Europe on 14th to 16th June which is part of an established process between France and Norway launched a long time ago on the means to counter deforestation. Both ministers then addressed issues related to the French Presidency of the G8 and G20.

On February 1st the European Commission welcomed the positive signs sent out by Hungary in view of changing its controversial media law thereby opening the way for the settlement of the dispute. The Commissioner in charge of the issue, Neelie Kroes said she was pleased with the "Hungarian authorities' readiness to discuss the points raised," by the European executive "as well as their clearly expressed desire to change the law if necessary," said spokesperson Jonathan Todd in a press release. Hungary has committed to respecting community law.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced to the Dail (the lower chamber of Parliament) on 1st February that he was going to dissolve the chamber and convene general elections on 25th February. On the same day the President of the Irish Republic Mary McAleese signed the dissolution act and indicated that the new Dail would meet on 9th March.

Silvio Berlusconi's government suffered a defeat on 3rd February during the vote on tax federalism. The vote of a parliamentary committee on part of a major federal tax project enabling local communities to keep most of their taxes ended up with 15 votes in favour 15 against. The text which involved the collection and redistribution of local taxes was technically rejected. On the same day the extraordinary council of ministers adopted a law to force the project through. However for the text to enter into force it has to be promulgated by the President of the Republic and published in the official journal, which the latter refused to do.

On 2nd February Luxembourg Foreign Ministers Jean Asselborn hosted his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze. Discussions focused on bilateral relations as well as the relations between Georgia and the EU and relations between Georgia and NATO. With regard to the Union ministers notably reviewed progress and the future of the EU observation mission in Georgia (EUMM) and they addressed the start of negotiations for an association agreement between the EU and Georgia.

The European Commissioner for the Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle announced on 2nd February that EU aid to the democratic opposition in Belarus will be quadrupled to a total of 15.6 million € between 2011 and 2013. A sum of 1.7 million € will be made available immediately to the families of those in prison said the Commissioner. This was announced during the conference of donors in Warsaw which brought together the 27 countries of the EU, EU candidate countries, the USA and Canada, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova which decided to allocate aid of 87 million € to civil society in Belarus.

On 3rd February Portugal announced the introduction of an enhanced financial measures designed to grant loans to agricultural and breeding businesses. This decision approved by the Council of Ministers comes after the measure set up in 2010 ran out of reserves. The funds made available should enable farmers to fund their investments, enjoy cashflow which is vital to the development of their activities and to settle debts they have with financial organisations.

On the occasion of the international conference on security which was held from 4th to 6th February British Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged the failure of multiculturalism in his country and denounced the excessive tolerance that has reigned for a long time with regard to extreme Islamic groups. He accused the doctrine of multiculturalism responsible in his opinion of having encouraged various cultures to live separately and called for the promotion of a shared national identity.

Iceland delivered its programme defining its economic priorities in view of 2013 to the European Commission on 4th February - in line with the EU membership procedure said the Icelandic government. "The Economy Ministry delivered its first pre-membership economic report to the European Commission. It establishes Iceland's economic priorities until 2013," indicated a ministerial press release.

After signature on 2nd February the EU will fund several infrastructure development projects as well as projects to reform Bosnia as part of its pre-membership aid to a total of 92 million €. 45 million € will be allocated to the building and improvement of infrastructures mainly in the area of water treatment and the disposal of public refuse, 32 million € will be granted to support projects to counter corruption and the enhancement of legal and police institutions.

The IMF mission in Moldova led by Nikolay Gueorguiev met Prime Minister Vlad Filat on 1st February. Discussions focused on the country's economic situation and work to undertake by the end of the year. "Our government team is strong - we have competence and ambition. We are motivated and sufficiently experienced to rise to all challenges," declared the Prime Minister. For his part the IMF's representative lauded the government on its appointment hoping that it would lead the country to implement all the necessary measures.

The new Russo-American Nuclear Disarmament Treaty START signed on 8th April 2010 came into force on 5th February after the exchange of ratification signatures by the heads of diplomacy of both countries. The treaty, which is valid for ten years and renewable for another five, plans for each country to be able to deploy a maximum of 1,550 nuclear heads ie a 30% reduction in comparison with 2002.

On a visit to Poland on 3rd and 4th February Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich announced that his country's membership of the EU "was still the most important priority." Mr Yanukovich who spoke alongside his Polish counterpart Bronislaw Komorowski said he was pleased with the "constant support of Poland in the Ukraine's work towards integrating the EU," referring to the Polish Presidency of the Counci which will take place in the second half of 2011. He also met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and took part in a Ukrainian-Polish Forum.

On 31st January the World Bank announced a loan of 215.7 million $ for the period 2010-2014 to Montenegro in support of its bid to join the EU. This agreement completes a new strategic partnership that aims to strengthen institutions and competitiveness, in line with the demands made for it to join the Union. This implies support to the financial sector and to the development policy and also to improving the management of the environment. This includes reducing the cost of environmental problems by way of investment loans in research and innovation.

On 2nd February UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon again asked the Belarus authorities to free imprisoned journalists, politicians and supporters of the opposition. This appeal from the UN is the third since December.

On 31st January the WTO gave a final but confidential report on the decades of American aid to Boeing deemed illegal by the plane maker Airbus which estimates the damage at 32.8 billion €. Although the report is due to remain confidential for a few months until it has been translated into the organisation's three official languages, the two companies have already given their opinion about the verdict. Airbus said in a press release on 31st January that the WTO's decision confirms that Boeing received "massive, illegal aid" whilst Boeing communicated on the same day that the report "is a complete rejection of the EU's complaint".

According to the most recent survey by Eurobarometer on energy 60% of Europeans would feel better protected by coordinated energy measures between the EU countries. 79% of them say they support solidarity between Member State in the event of supply difficulties. Energy price stability is the priority for Europeans with regard to energy cooperation amongst 29% of respondents followed by renewable energies for 27% of them - the guarantee of energy supplies for 20% and energy efficacy for 16%.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 2nd February, in December 2010 in comparison with November 2010, the industrial production price index increased by 0.8% in the euro are and by 1.1% in the European Union. In November 2010 prices increased respectively by 0.3% and 0.5%. In December 2010 compared with December 2009 the industrial production price index recorded growth of 5.3% in the euro area and 5.9% in the European Union. In comparison with 2009 the average industrial price index increased in 2010 by 2.9% in the euro area and by 3.4% in the European Union.

The Genshagen Foundation has published a study on "The Weimar Triangle - A New Dynamic for Europe?" in its series the "Genshagener Papiere". Articles by Jean-Louis de la Vaissière ("Weimar - un tremplin vers l'Est pour Paris"), Marek Ostrowski ("Le Triangle au sein de l'appareil") and Gabriele Lesser ("L'Avenir du Triangle de Weimar se trouve à l'Est") are available in French, German and Polish.

"Searching Finance" has published a book by Graham Bishop entitled "The EU Fiscal Crisis: Forcing Eurozone Political Union in 2011?". This book analyses the impetus behind the crisis and the potential afermath of the debt in the euro area.

Three 3D films including one by German film director Wim Wenders will be showing at the 61st edition of the Berlin film festival, the "Berlinale" from 10th to 20th February. Around 400 films from 58 countries have been selected for this festival; 16 films are running for the Golden Bear.