On 7th April Atifete Jahjaga became the new President of the Republic of Kosovo. Her election puts an end to the political crisis caused by the Constitutional Court's decision on 28th March declaring that the election on 22nd February of Behgjet Pacolli (New Kosovo Alliance, AKR), was contrary to the Constitution.

On 11th April the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its growth forecasts for the euro area: 1.6% this year and 1.8% in 2012. In its "Report on Financial Stability in the World", published on 13th April, the IMF refers to tensions in Europe, between States battling to ensure the recovery of their public finances and a banking sector that has been seriously damaged by the worldwide crisis. The IMF brought together in Washington, during the spring meetings with the World Bank held from 15th to 17th April, Finance Ministers and central bank governors from the world over. They warned against certain risks for the world economy such as the increases in food and energy prices, the disaster in Japan, revolutions in the Middle East and the risk of overheating of certain extremely dynamic emerging markets. IMF Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also promised help of up to 35 billion euros for countries in the Middle East.

On a visit to Cyprus on 13th April, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy had talks with the Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, particularly regarding migratory pressures from the south of the Mediterranean. He stated that the European Union was already planning to provide financial aid and technical support to the Cypriot authorities through the European Agency for the Management of External Borders (FRONTEX) and the European Asylum Support Office. He also pointed out that it is essential for the European Union and Turkey to decide quickly on a readmission agreement in order to facilitate efficient management of migration flows and the control of illegal immigration.

The Single Market Act, adopted by the European Commission on 13th April aims to open twelve projects to relaunch the single market for 2012. These twelve levers for growth, competitiveness and social progress go from worker mobility, to finance for Small and Medium Businesses, to consumer protection, not forgetting digital content, taxation and trans-European networks. Each lever is accompanied by a star initiative on which the Commission undertakes to make proposals over the coming months and with the aim of reaching a final agreement from the European Parliament and the Council before the end of 2012.

On 13th and 14th April MEPs and members of national parliaments within the EU and the Western Balkans met for a joint parliamentary meeting in Brussels to discuss the Western Balkans European integration process. The meeting ended with a broad consensus between participants reaffirming that EU accession prospects of the Western Balkans countries is the way to ensure the necessary reforms in the countries in that region.

On 11th and 12th April, the 27 Justice and Home Affairs Ministers discussed the European Commission's communication on the European framework for national strategies on the integration of the Roma population and the directive on attacks on information systems. They also discussed recent developments in South Mediterranean countries and adopted conclusions on migration questions, also mentioning the future of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the proposal for a European system for passenger name record data (PNR) in the combat against terrorism. Finally, ministers took note of the European Commission's report on the joint re-examination of the first six months of implementation of the agreement between the European Union and the United States on the Terrorist Financing Tracking Programme (TFTP).

The European External Action Service (EEAS) published on 14th April an up-dated note on the EU's action in Libya. A delegation from the European Union also went to Benghazi at the beginning of April to meet with various heads of the National Transition Council and to study the situation on the ground. On 13th April the Commission allocated additional humanitarian aid of 10 million euros to intensify the evacuation of foreigners from Libya (in particular from the town of Misrata) and their repatriation to their countries of origin.

The German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, met his French counterpart Alain Juppé in Berlin on 14th April, for an initial bilateral meeting. Mr Juppé declared that the European Union could make progress only "if Germany and France work hand in hand". The two ministers talked in particular about possible joint initiatives in Europe. With regard to the democratisation and stabilisation of neighbouring countries, south of the EU, they stated that they would collaborate on reorientation of the European Neighbourhood Policy. "We want the European Union to play both an active role and a support role with a view to promoting democratisation", said Mr Westerwelle.

On 13th April, the Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister, Josef Pröll (ÖVP), announced his resignation from all his political mandates for health reasons. On 14th April the ÖVP chose the Foreign Minister, Michael Spindelegger, to head the party. Mr Spindelegger also became Vice-Chancellor.

The general election on 17th April in Finland witnessed a strong breakthrough by the "True Finns", which has now become the country's 3rd party. The final count of votes published by the electoral commission showed that the results are extremely tight: the conservatives only just won, ahead of the socialists and the nationalists who enjoyed an historic breakthrough. Of the 200 seats in Parliament, the electoral commission granted 44 to the National Coalition (conservative), 42 to the social-democrat party (SDP) and 39 to the True Finns (nationalist right). The National Coalition collected 20.4% of the vote, the SDP 19.1% and the True Finns 19.0%. This is an enormous breakthrough for the True Finns, who held only six seats in the previous assembly. "It's an historic change" said the delighted party boss, Timo Soini.

French Prime Minister François Fillon and the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso met in Brussels on 14th April. They discussed reinforcement of the economic governance of the euro area, entrance into the Schengen area of migrants from North Africa and increased nuclear safety. They also discussed the forthcoming negotiations on the pluriannual European budget. Mr Fillon reminded Mr Barroso of the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy "for France and for Europe". At the press conference, Mr Fillon stated that France is not in favour of a European VAT, but is not against "innovations in terms of own resources". He also asked that the "European budget be subject to the same effort as the one imposed on national budgets, that is to say spending stability".

The Italian President Giorgio Napolitano visited the Czech Republic from 12th to 15th April at the invitation of his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus. The two Heads of State discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, underlining its importance, particularly in economic terms.

On 13th April the Lithuanian President, Dalia Grybauskaite met Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Chancellor Werner Faymann. Discussions covered bilateral relations, cooperation in international organisations, current European questions and the European Eastern Partnership Policy. The 2 leaders focused particularly on questions involving the assurance of safe nuclear energy. The Lithuanian President thanked the Austrian leaders for their support for the Lithuanian initiative to reinforce world standards on nuclear safety.

In a letter sent to the Second Chamber of the House of Representatives, the Dutch government announced on 8th April a tightening of rules on labour migration. From 1st July 2011, workers from Bulgaria, Romania and EU neighbouring countries will be issued with work permits only in exceptional cases. In this way the Dutch government wants to give priority to job seekers on benefits. The Dutch Social Affairs Minister has also decided to make knowledge of the Dutch language a condition for obtaining benefits.

The President of the Russian Republic, Dimitri Medvedev, went to Smolensk on 11th April accompanied by his Polish counterpart Bronislaw Komoroski, to commemorate the air tragedy which cost the life of many Poles on 10th April 2010. After a meeting behind closed doors, the two heads of State went to the accident site to pay homage to the 96 victims of the disaster. The two sides have decided to build a monument at the crash site.

On 12th and 13th April, Romanian President Traian Basescu went to Estonia at the invitation of his Estonian counterpart, Toomas Hendrik Ilves. They underlined their shared will for diversifying their cooperation in every field, particularly economic, by encouraging investment and, with this in mind, suggested the forthcoming organisation of an economic forum. Mr Basescu also met Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, and the President of the Riigikogu (Parliament), Ene Ergma.

The British House of Lords has published a report entitled, a "The Workload of the European Union Court of Justice". The report predicts rapid clogging of the Court's systems unless more judges and advocates general are appointed.

On 15th April the president of the Macedonian parliament, Trajko Veljanoski, called early general elections for 5th June. "Parliament has decided that the legitimacy of the parties represented must be verified by the citizens of Macedonia at early general elections (.....) on 5th June", he declared. "I call on all political parties to take their responsibilities to ensure that the conditions for free and democratic elections are in place."

The Moldovan Prime Minister, Vladimir Filat, was in Paris from 12th to 14th April to meet his French counterpart, François Fillon. Mr Fillon underlined the importance of the pro-European orientation and reforms already achieved, which have enabled intensification of relations between the European Union and Moldova. The two men agreed on the need for closer bilateral relations, particularly in economic terms.

NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Berlin on 14th and 15th April adopted a new policy that will make the commitment with NATO partners more efficient, pragmatic and flexible. The meeting was an opportunity for putting into practice the reinforced partnership made with Afghanistan at the last summit in Lisbon. On 15th April, NATO and the EU tightened their coordination with a view to the humanitarian operation that the Europeans are preparing, to come to the aid of Misrata (Libya), which has been surrounded for almost two months by Gaddafi's forces. The head of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, discussed the NATO-EU partnership, particularly on Libya. A new step forward was taken on 14th April with the adoption by the EU of the "operational concept", the first phase in the planning of the future operation.

According to a Eurostat study published on 11th April, the share of renewable energy practically doubled between 1999 and 2009, from 5% of gross internal energy consumption to 9%, whilst the share represented by gas increased from 22% to 24%. The highest shares of renewable energy usage were recorded in Latvia (36%) and Sweden (34%).

According to a Eurobarometer poll entitled "consumer empowerment" published on 11th April, less than 50% of European consumers feel confident, well informed and protected. Losses claimed by consumers are assessed at about 0.4% of the EU GDP and more than one in five European consumers claimed that they had encountered a problem over the past twelve months. According to the study, most consumers do not know their fundamental rights, such as, for example the right to have a defective item repaired or replaced or to obtain reimbursement within eighteen months of purchase.

The Institut de Recherche Stratégique de l'Ecole Militaire (IRSEM) has published in its series "Cahiers de l'IRSEM" a study entitled "Les Frontières de l'Union européenne ou les Etats-Unis d'Europe" ("EU borders or the United States of Europe"). In the study, Axel Poniatowski, President of the Foreign Affairs Commission at the National Assembly, draws up a prospective map of current territorial and political evolutions. He also suggests an approach through "the United States of Europe" which would enhance the cohesion of States "in the first circle" whilst facilitating the welcome of other countries who may seek accession.

The Copenhagen International Film Festival, CPH PIX, will present 170 films from the world over between 14th April and 1st May. The official selection is devoted to new talents in the global film world.