On the eve of the European Council of 30th January, the Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani published an editorial on his site on the future of the EU. According, "It is far too early to speak of the end of the crisis in Europe, but the end of the tunnel is now in sight and we have entered a period of consolidation. We must not give up and continue working, and be prepared to put in more effort."

Organised by Confrontations Europe, the Astrid Foundation and the Bertelsman Foundation, the European Economic Interviews led to a "Manifesto for a unified and integrated euro zone". To put a halt to growing pressure from the markets and to prevent the collapse of the European Union, greater solidarity and coordination between European countries are necessary to revive their competitiveness. At a time when debate is accelerating over a reform of the European Treaties, the three associations from civil society adopted a European manifesto for a euro zone to show more solidarity and for it to be more integrated; a campaign has been launched to foster its goals. Jean-Dominique Giuliani, chair of the Robert Schuman Foundation is one of the many signatories of this manifesto.

The British economy contracted by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2011 according to an initial estimate published on 25th January by the Office for National Statistics. This decrease after a rise of 0.6% in the third quarter is double that expected by economists. Moreover GDP growth for all of 2011 lay at 0.8%; this poor result comes just as unemployment is already at its highest level in 17 years.

From 25th-29th January during the 42nd world economic forum in Davos many political and economic leaders spoke during debate, notably the President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi. The latter declared that the euro zone had made "spectacular progress" towards emerging long term from the debt crisis that has been undermining it since December 2009. "It is surprising if you make a comparison with the last five months, the euro zone is another world," he maintained. "Many positive things have happened on the market, the banks have more capital, less debt and are in some way immunized against the perverse incentives that were typical of the financial crisis." In his introductory speech German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that the solution to the present crisis lay in greater credibility of the economic policies that were being undertaken.

On 23rd January the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a chapter of the "Economic Policy Reforms 2012. Going for Growth" report. In this text OECD experts explain that it is possible to reduce the wage gap and to stimulate growth simultaneously by making reforms to the labour market, to the contributions and transfer systems and by adopting quality education. Hence the crisis which is pushing us towards reforms and to rethink public finance is giving us an ideal opportunity to address growing inequalities, "one of the main dangers that weighs over our prosperity and our future security." as stressed Pier Carlo Padoan, the OECD's Chief Economist.

On 24th January the World Bank published a report on the advantages and inconveniences of the European economic model entitled "Restoring the lustre of the European economic model." During the presentation the Vice-President of the World Bank, repsonsible for Europe and Central Asia, Philippe Le Houerou, asked Europeans to maintain their critical spirit and not to lose confidence in their economic model. The report focuses on the last two decades and analyses six areas relevant to growth, ie trade; finance; business; innovation; work and government.

On 24th January the 27 European Finance Ministers officially acknowledged that Hungary had not taken the necessary steps to reduce its excessive deficit. Indeed although the deficit goal was technically achieved in 2011 the Council believes that there has not be any "strong, long lasting" correction of it. The country may therefore see the payment of the cohesion funds that it receives from the EU suspended. They also noted the priorities set by the Danish Presidency and debated the annual review of growth by the Commission which is used as a base for the analyses undertaken as part of the European semester; they also discussed draft legislation concerning over the counter derivatives, budgetary surveillance and economic governance.

In a report on Hungary, published on 25th January the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked Budapest to continue implementing austerity measures and to put an end to its interventionist economic policy, whilst Hungary wants to start negotiations with the IMF in view of a loan. Financial aid from the IMF and other international organisations "may help to relieve financial restrictions and improve investor confidence," but it can only be effective if it is based on a sound economic policy. Hungary, which is encountering problems in getting funding from the market wants to negotiate a loan estimated at between 15 and 20 billion euros. But the country has irritated international organisations by adopting controversial laws, notably a reform of the central bank deemed damaging to its indpendence.

According to figures published on 25th January by the Labour, Employment and Healthcare Minister, across the entire year of 2011, the number of unemployed increased by 5.6%. In 2011 152,000 people lost their job. In all France now has 2,874,500 unemployed.

On 24th January the International Monetary Fund lowered its world economic forecasts in 2012 by 0.7% in comparison with the world economic outlook in September 2011; the IMF believes that world economic growth will lie at around 3.25% in 2012. Growth prospects worsened in the wake of increased economic tension in the euro zone. The IMF is forecasting a 0.5% recession in the euro zone in 2012 and growth of 0.8% in 2013. According to the most recent forecasts by the IMF the situation in Spain is due to decline with a 1.7% contraction of economic activity in 2012 as well as 0.3% in 2013 (which represents a downwards correction of 2.8% for 2012 and 2.1% for 2013); in Italy the economy is due to contract by 2.2% in 2012 and 0.6% in 2013 (which represents a downwards correction of 2.5% in 2012 and 1.1% in 2013).

According to figures published on 27th January by the National Statistics Institute (INE), in the fourth quarter of 2011 Spain had nearly 5.3 million unemployed, which meant that unemployment had risen by 1.33 points to 22.85%, the highest rate since the first quarter of 1995. Amongst the 25 year olds the rise in unemployment has been particularly dramatic. Over one in two of them (51.4%) is without work, in comparison with 45.8% at the end of September. The activity rate, for its part, totals 59.94%.

Mario Monti's government adopted measures that aim to simplify adminstrative procedures which are very cumbersome in Italy and believed to be an impediment to growth. Amongst the measures feature the constitution of a data base on calls for tender which will lead to centralisation and accessibility of all candidates files by the adminstrative offices concerned. Adminstrative procedures will also be simplifed for the public who will be able to use the internet to undertake a certain number of these acts. Mr Monti said that this plan to simplify the adminstration aimed to reduce "radically" the red tape surrounding the creation of businesses.

On 25th January the European Commission put forward a legislative proposal obliging the main internet companies to gain people's prior consent to use their personal data, under the threat of a fine. The leading measure in the proposals put forward by the Vice President of the Commission responsible for Justice, Vivian Reding, comprises an introduction "the right to be forgotten" which will notably force the social networks to delete personal data, photographs of the users who ask for it. More generally companies on the net will have to gain the clear consent of the citizens whose data they would like to use.

On 27th January the European Commission presented several proposals that aim to support the development of third countries by way of growth that is driven along by international trade. Amongst the ideas studied are firstly to reserve preferential prices for the poorest countries, to make free-trade systematic, to put an end to all equivalent effect taxes on customs duties and equivalent effect measures on quantitative restrictions, to facilitate foreign direct investment, to help developing countries respect international standards in the economic, social and environmental areas and finally to include trade instruments in the management of natural and political crises.

On 23rd January the 27 Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers studied the proposals put forward by the Danish Presidency for the next six months. The priorities retained are, amongst others, the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, its transparency and the importance of including it in research and innovation. More generally they debated the reform of the CAP and studied the European strategy for animal well-being.

The 27 European Foreign Ministers expressed their concern about the situation in Iran and Syria on 23rd January 2012 in support of the action taken by the Arab League in the latter country and they decided to step up sanctions against both countries. They also welcomed the reforms undertaken by Myanmar and encouraged the junta to go further with this. They also welcomed the work done by Jordan to facilitate direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as part of the quartet and said they wanted Sudan and South Sudan to conclude a peace agreement, urging both governments to "find a negotiated settlement" to all of the problems associated with the secession of South Sudan. The situation in Belarus and relations between Serbia and Kosovo were also discussed.

On 27th January the 27 Ministers responsible for European Affairs discussed the multi-annual financial framework for the period 2014-2020. The discussion led to a clarification of the positions of the various Member States on this issue. Hence some of them demanded a reduction in the Union's spending with regard to the Commission's proposals, whilst others supported these proposals. Some delegations also defended the priority given to the CAP and the Cohesion Policy, whilst others highlighted other priorities. Thanks to these discussions the Danish presidency hopes to achieve a sound base for the future European Council in June, which will discuss the multi-annual financial framework. The latter may be adopted at the end of 2012 and take over from the one that is presently in force.

The EADS Board of Directors, that met in Amsterdam on 26th January appointed German Tom Enders, the present head of Airbus to take over EADS, as successor to Frenchman Louis Gallois, whose mandate expires on 31st May 2012. Arnaud Lagardère, the French industrialist will take over the chair of the board on 1st June as planned in the wake of German Boddo Uebber. Jean-Claude Trichet, former ECB President will take over the free administrator's seat.

On 29th January during a televised appearance, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a final package of reforms, which will be economic in the main. The new measures involve: VAT which in its "social" version will rise by 1.6 points to 21.2% on October 1st 2012, the CSG on financial income that will rise by 2 points; the creation of a tax on financial transactions of 0.1%, which will enter into force in August 2012; housing with incentives to build, but also a new reform of the 35 hour week to privilege "salaries over employment".

The Italian population is getting older and the number of immigrants in the country continues to grow, now totalling 8% of all of the country's residents announced the National Statistics Institute on 27th January 2012 (Istat). The Italian population totalled 60.851 million people on 31st December 2011, 4,859 million of whom, representing 8% of the entire population were foreigners. Over one year the Italian population lost 65,000 people, dropping down below the 56 million mark. The foreign population increased by 289,000 units according to the same source.

Jean-Claude Mignon, MP (Seine et Marne), was elected on 23rd January as president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He has been Vice-President since 2007. He is the first Frenchman to occupy this post since Louis Jung, former Senator and also former Chair of the Robert Schuman Foundation.

Former Latvian Social Integration Minister Niels Muiznieks was elected on 24th January by an absolute majority as the third Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe by the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), that met in Strasbourg in plenary session. His term in office will start on April 1st 2012.

On 26th January in its resolution 1862 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed its concern over the legal proceedings launched against former Ukrainian ministers, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, in conditions that may "have reduced the possibilty for the accused to enjoy a fair trial". The Assembly recalls that these situations reflect the shortcomings of the Ukrainian legal system as a whole and it expresses its concern about the "lack of independence" of the legal system, the excessive use of preventive detention and the bias which is systematically in favour of the accusation," of the country's courts. In its opinion this confirms that even though progress has been made, a reform of the constitution is necessary to bring Ukraine in line with the Council of Europe's standards.

On 25th January, in recommendation 1992 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed its "deep concern" about the respect of human rights and freedom in Belarus. It recommends therefore to the Committee of Ministers to encourage the Member States to take sanctions against this country by falling line with measures taken by the European Union and to "use their political and diplomatic influence" to lead Belarus towards making the necessary reform and at the same time to speak with the "opposition forces" in the country to facilitate Belarus citizens' visa applications and maintain university exchanges with the establishments there.

The College of Europe of Bruges has just published a study entitled "The EU and the US as International Actors in Disaster Relief" by Erik Brattberg and Mark Rhinard in its series "Cahiers de recherche politique". This comparative study analyses the role of the European Union and the US in the conduct of humanitarian operations. To do this the authors apply the concept of "actorness", which enables the description of behaviour within political systems that represent several levels of functioning. They conclude their analysis with the admission that Europe and the US are international players the area of humanitarian aid and disaster relief but each is typical in its own way.

Works of art from museums around the world are on show at the Sismondo Castle in Rimini (Italy) until 3rd June 2012 each presenting major nations that have brought success to the history of art. The exhibition is divided into sections, one for each nation, offering the public a selection of work on the most representative centuries. Hence the public can see "the Painting of Venice in the 15th and 16th centuries" for Italy, the "Golden Century in Spain"; "Painting in England between the 18th and 19th century", and also "the Age of Impressionism" for France.

Until 20th May 2012 the Hermitage Foundation in Lausanne is offering people an opportunity to see the treasures on show in the exhibition "Au fil des Collections, de Tiepolo à Degas". Focusing on the Foundation's most precious pieces of work, from Tiepolo to Degas, Bocion, Magritte, Vallotton, Vuillard and to Valadon, the most important pieces in the Hermitage's collection are on show with other works from both public and private Swiss collections.

January 24th marked the 300th anniversary of the birth of Frederic II of Prussia (1712-1786), otherwise known as Frederic the Great. In 2012 there will be exhibitions, concerts and public readings commemorating the King of Prussia, who is considered as one of the most fascinating personalities in German history. Not only was Frederic the Great a powerful monarch and a pitiless soldier, but he also had an open mind and was sensitive to art and philosophy. He designed himself as the "the State's first servant".