IRIS has published the proceedings of the 3rd meeting in Enghien, organised with the participation of the Robert Schuman Foundation, under the title : "The EU and the crises: what answers should we give?" under the guidance of Pascal Boniface and Philippe Sueur. The papers review three high points of the conference: Europe and the economic and financial crisis, the populist challenge and European Defence.

The presidential election will take place on 29th and 30th August next in Estonia. The 101 members of the Riigikogu, the only chamber in Parliament, are being invited to appoint the next president. The outgoing Head of State will be facing MEP Indrek Tarand, appointed by the main opposition party, the Centre Party. The presidential election takes place within the parliament. In the first round the candidate who wins at least 2/3 of the votes of the 101 MPs (ie 68 votes) is declared elected. If none of the candidates manages to win this number of votes, a second round of voting is organised the next day, followed by a third round if necessary. If after these three rounds none of the candidates manages to win enough votes to enter the supreme office, the leader of the Riigikogu convenes an Electoral College (Valimiskogu) which is responsible for electing the future head of State. The Electoral College rallies the 101 MPs and the members of the representative assemblies of the 227 town councils in Estonia. Elected for five years the President of the Republic cannot undertake more than two consecutive terms in office.

Merchandise exports increased by 20.2% over the first five months of 2011 in comparison with the same period in 2010. Imports increased by 14.1%. The trade deficit decreased by 6.5% in 2011 in comparison with last year to lie at 20.14 million euros.

The Dutch Statistics Institute (CBS) published figures on unemployment for the month of June 2011 on 21st July. In the press release the institute announced the decrease in unemployment figures, down to 392,000, which is equal to a decline in 9,000 unemployed less since May 2011 and a 0.5% decrease since June 2010. According to the calculations by CBS this decline in unemployment was made possible thanks to a significant decrease in youth unemployment.

The IFO Institute announced on 22nd July that its Business Climate Index had declined in July in Germany lying at 112.9 points against 114.5 in June.

On 21st July the 17 Heads of State and government of the euro area met for an exceptional summit on the Greek crisis. They agreed to create a new support programme for Greece in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hence total public funding will rise to 109 billion euros. The deadlines for repayment on future loans agreed by the European Financial Stability Fund have been extended from 7.5 years to 15, and this might even become 30. The European Commission's decision to create a working group to help the Greek authorities was welcomed. The private sector is also supporting Greece. This aid is estimated at 135 billion euros, 37 billion of which come from voluntary banks and 12 billion from the purchase of the debt on the market.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reviewed its growth forecast for the former communist countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia slightly upwards on 22nd July; however it is still concerned about the dangers of contagion in the euro area. In a press release it is now forecasting growth of 4.8% in the 29 countries in which it invests, whilst at the end of May it was forecasting a rate of 4.6% at its annual meeting in Kazakhstan. Its 2012 forecast remains unchanged at 4.4%.

On 19th July the European Commission announced the injection of nearly 7 billion euros to stimulate innovation thanks to research. This package was released as part of the EU's 7th framework research programme and will be given to universities, research organisations and companies. It should lead to the creation of around 174,000 jobs short term and 450,000 over the next 15 years, as well as 80 billion euros in additional growth. It is also planned to award a new EU prize to innovative women whose work has been funded by the 7th framework programme.

On 19th July the European Commission approved the funding of 183 new environmental projects as part of the LIFE+ programme, the EU funds for the environment. These projects are from all Member States and include action in the areas of protecting nature, climate change, clean technologies and environmental policies as well as information, communication on environmental issues. Together they represent a total investment of 530 million euros, of which 244 million will be funded by the EU.

On 20th July the European Commission adopted the European Agenda for the Integration of Third Country Nationals. The latter aims to give value to the economic, social and cultural advantages of migration in Europe. A qualitative Eurobarometer survey devoted to integration, undertaken last spring, was also presented.

On 20th July the Commission put forward its proposals that aim to modify how banks operate in Europe. Hence banks will have to hold more and better quality own capital to be able to withstand future shocks themselves. The Commission is integrating international standards on banks own funds into EU law - these were adopted by the G20 - otherwise known as the Basel III Agreement. An increase in the powers of the monitoring authorities is also included in these steps. Finally the Commission suggests that a single regulatory corpus be made for the banking sector bringing together all legislation applicable in this area.

On 20th July the European Commission published an annual report on Bulgaria and Romania. It is criticises Bulgaria over its inadequate results in terms of fighting corruption and organised crime. The Commission did however note progress in the area of the professional training of judges and in terms of the fight to counter conflicts of interest. The report is less negative about Romania and takes on board "significant steps" that have been implemented. In 2012 the Commission will make as assessment to decide whether to continue its annual controls of the two Member States or not.

On 18th July the 27 Interior Ministers who met in Sopot maintained that it was necessary to protect the free movement of people and to strengthen external border protection and also the Schengen assessment mechanism. The Ministers also repeated their commitment to stepping up the pace of work on the Common European Asylum System, which is due to be implemented by the end of 2012. With regard to the anti-drug policy Ministers agreed that there was a priority for the adoption and implementation of a European Pact against synthetic drugs. This was the first informal meeting of the 27 Interior Ministers in the "Justice and Internal Affais Council" organised by the Polish presidency.

On 19th July the 27 Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers discussed the priorities established in these areas by the Polish Presidency. They also exchanged views on the European Commission's proposal for the Common Fisheries Policy. Some Ministers believed that it would be difficult to achieve maximum sustainable results by 2015. Ministers then debated the Commission's Green paper on programmes to promote and inform about the EU's agricultural products. Finally they discussed the conclusions of the Beef reflection group and the consequences of the E-coli epidemic.

The 27 Research, Competitiveness and Industry Ministers, who met informally on 22nd July, discussed the creation of the European Research Area as well as the future of European universities and support for innovation. They mentioned the future "HORIZON 2020 Research programme". Discussions also focused on the green economy and the idea of sustainable growth. The European Commission wants the European Parliament to allocate 80 billion euros to research and development work that aims to find innovative solutions to protect the environment.

On 19th July the Stabilisation and Association Council between Albania and the EU acknowledged the progress made by Albania in terms of fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and the terms of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The Council noted that Albania's track record in implementing its obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement is positive overall. The Council considered that Albania has achieved a certain degree of macroeconomic stability and would be in a position to take on the obligations of membership in the medium term in most of the acquis fields. However Albania will have to do more in terms of implementing the 12 key priorities recalled in the European Commission's communication.

On 19th July the High Representative Catherine Ashton met the new Kazakh Foreign Minister, Yerzhan Kazykhanov, to discuss relations between the EU and Kazakhstan. She welcomed the launch of negotiations for a new advanced partnership. But she stressed that the outcome of the negotiations will depend on the implementation of the political reforms in support of Kazakhstan's democracy, suggesting that negotiations may provide the stimulus for their implementation.

On 19th July the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hosted his Croatian counterpart, Jadranka Kosor, in Warsaw. They discussed bilateral relations, notably in terms of politics and the economy, saying that they wanted to develop cooperation between their governments on twinning projects. Mr Tusk also said he hoped that Croatia's accession treaty to the EU would be signed during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the Union. Finally the two leaders discussed the European outlook for the other Western Balkan countries.

According to Eurostat estimates published on 22nd July the EU recorded a current account deficit of 38.8 billion euros in the first quarter of 2011 in comparison with a deficit of 27.7 billion euros in the first quarter of 2010. The deficit of the goods account increased in the first quarter of 2011 in comparison with the first quarter of 2010. Indeed it rose from -32.6 billion to -46.5 billion euros. The surplus in the service account increased rising from 11.5 billion to 16.9 billion euros.

According to Eurostat estimates on 22nd July the new industrial orders index in the euro area increased by 3.6% in May 2011 in comparison with April 2011. In the EU, new orders increased by 2.5% in May 2011 in comparison with April 2011. In May 2011 in comparison with May 2010 new orders increased by 15.5% in the euro area and by 14.3% in the EU.

The Genshagen Foundation has just published a paper on the Weimar Triangle, Russia and the Eastern neighbours of the EU entitled "A New Start for Russian-EU Security Policy?". Author, Stefan Meister, claims in this paper that the Weimar Triangle may lead to a rapprochement on Germany and Poland's positions (in line with France) in terms of relations with Russia and other Eastern European states.

In a study dated 19th July by the European Policy Center entitled "Well-being 2030, a new vision for Social Europe", the authors set out the recommendations of this project that aims to establish a strategic, long term development goal for Europe's social policy. They encourage national and European leaders to establish more protective social policies in the face of social risk and to be more creative in terms of well-being.

The Madriaga Foundation has published a note by Daniel Fiott entitled "Europe and Rare Earths: Dependable Diplomacy or Strategic Scarcity?" Analysing the EU's response to Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths the author believes that the Union is now aware of the size of the problem but that its Member States are an obstacle. He calls for an integrated approach by the Union on this strategic issue.

The ECIPE (European Centre for International Political Economy) has published a paper by Bruce Stokes entitled "Public Support for Trade Policy". Analysing public opinion surveys in both Europe and the US the author shows that Americans and European acknowledge the benefits of free-trade for the economy but that they are dubious about individual benefits - notably because of the negative effect on employment. In spite of reduced support for trade agreements the author maintains that there is trans-Atlantic support for an increase in commercial links between Europe and the US.

The Salzburg Festival is offering operas, shows and concerts from 27th July until 30th August featuring Figaro, Don Giovanni and Macbeth amongst others.

From 29th July to 15th August the Jazz Festival of Marciac will be taking place in the Gers, France. Created in 1978 it hosts around 200,000 visitors per year and is believed to be one of the most important festivals in France. The village of Marciac is the venue for concerts in the main square whose Medieval buildings have been carefully preserved.

Until 25th September the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London is presenting "Twombly and Poussin: Arcadian Painters", which is an exhibition of work by classical painter Nicolas Poussin and modern artist Cy Twombly. Whilst three centuries separate them, the two artists reveal some remarkable similarities via their styles and the themes they present. They are on show together for the first time.

For the very first time and until 23rd October the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam is presenting a series of self-portraits by painters Rembrandt and Degas - the latter having been inspired by Rembrandt. This exhibition also introduces a portrait of Degas that is on loan for the first from a private collection.

Running from 12th to 4th September the international festival of Edinburgh will be devoted to Asian culture. Launched in 1947 this festival brings together artists from the world's of classical music, theatre, opera, dance and visual art from across the world. This year spectators will be able to see the national ballet of China and the philharmonic orchestra of Seoul amongst others; there will also be dance shows by Vietnamese choreographer, Ea Sola and a modern version of Shakespeare's Hamlet by the Shanghai Beijing opera.

From 26th July to 13th August the town of Prades is hosting the Pablo Casals Festival. Founded in 1950 by the Catalan cellist Pablo Casals, this festival hosts major soloists every year who play a repertoire of chamber music, both classical and modern. This edition will end with a concert in tribute to Pablo Casals on 13th August.