As part of the partnership between the Robert Schuman Foundation and the AEF, the Foundation is broadcasting its most recent programme "Talking Europe" recorded on 28th June 2012 on its internet site. For MEPs debated growth and the future of the euro zone: these were Rebecca Harms, a German MEP and co-chair of the Green Group, Gianni Vattimo, an Italian MEPs for the Liberals and Democrats, Constance Le Grip, a French MEP for the European People's Party and Liem Hoam Ngoc, a French MEP from the Socialist group.

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson was re-elected to the Presidency of the Icelandic Republic on 30th June 2012. He won 52.78% of the vote and pulled ahead of his main rival, Thora Arnorsdottir, a journalist from the TV/Radio channel RUV, who won 33.16% of the vote. Independent candidate Ari Trausti Gudmundsson won 8.64% of the vote, Herdis Thorgeirsdottir, chair of the European Women Jurist's association, 2.63%, Andrea Olafsdottir, 1.8% and Hannes Bjarnason 0.98%. Nearly 2/3 of the 235,784 Icelanders called to vote fulfilled their civic duty (69%); turnout was up by 6.5 points in comparison with the last presidential election.

According to the most recent official statistics published on 26th June 2012, the Dutch economy came out of recession in the first quarter of 2012, Indeed it experienced growth of 0.3% between January and March in comparison with the previous quarter. These new statistics contradict the data of the previous month (May), that announced a recession of -0.2% over the same period. The Central Statistics Bureau (CBS), explains that it corrected its data because of an unexpected rise in public spending, notably in the transport sector and healthy household consumption, that was higher than forecast. Growth in the first quarter of 2012 might have been positive but it does illustrate a decline of 0.8% in comparison with the first quarter 2011.

On 26th June 2012 the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy presented the first conclusions of the discussions that he has had with the Presidents of the Commission, the Eurogroup and the European Central Bank. In order to strengthen Economic and Monetary Union they decided that the Member States should maintain a strong decisional position, but that they should work more together to introduce measures that support growth, employment and competitiveness. Two working paths have been selected: the EU has to put forward financial, budgetary and economic frameworks that are more integrated; the legitimacy and democratic aspect of the decision making process within the Economic and Monetary Union must be consolidated. A final report will be submitted to the Member States in December next.

On 27th June 2012 the European Commission presented several ideas to counter tax fraud and evasion in Europe. Amongst them are minimum sanctions for tax crimes, a strengthening of common measures against tax havens and even a European tax payer's charter. This press release has been published whilst the parallel economy in Europe represents nearly 20% of the overall GDP of the 27 Member States. In Algirdas Semeta's opinion "the time has come to move from words to action" because it is clear that isolated national action will not be enough.

On 26th June the 27 European Affairs Ministers decided to launch the negotiation phase of the accession process for Montenegro. They also reached a provisional agreement on the Cohesion Policy's legislative package. They adopted a decision to approve the extension of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank's area of activity as well as a directive on the supervision of major accidents caused by dangerous substances.

On 27th June 2012 the European Court condemned Microsoft to the payment of a fine of 860 million euros for not respecting European competition rules. As early as 2004 the European Commission had indeed already asked the American company to provide its competitors with the necessary information for them to be able to design compatible software at reasonable prices. In 2008 Microsoft was fined a first time to a total of 899 million euros for not respecting these two rules. Microsoft then, unsuccessfully tried to have this decision annulled, even if though the fine had been reduced slightly thanks to some work undertaken by the company.

The latest modifications to the Hungarian law governing the Central Bank are moving in the right direction to guarantee the institution's greater independence, said the ECB on 29th June 2012 although it is cautious about some remaining issues. Budapest needs the ECB's approval, likewise that of the IMF to earn a line of credit totalling 15 billion euros as a guarantee to be able to borrow on the bonds markets at bearable rates. The ECB believes that the amendments included in the new version of the law "clarifies the procedure governing the dismissal of members of the monetary council" thereby aligning according the procedure planned for by the 17 central banks in the Eurosystem and the ECB. Moreover the new text no longer obliges the central bank to submit the monetary council's agendas to the government likewise the right for a government representative to sit in on its meetings. It no longer includes the dissolution of the monetary council when Hungary adopts the euro. According to the ECB Hungary has now "calmed the greatest concerns regarding the MNB."

The Federal Ministers' Council in Germany adopted the draft 2013 finance law and budgetary planning for 2012-2016. According to the draft debt will no longer be part of the German budget by 2016 - a situation that has not occurred in the last 40 years. Next year the Federal States will however have to cover 18.8 billion euros in new debts, 8.7 of which will be used to supply the European Stability Mechanism. The government coalition is forecasting that it will respect the debt limit by 2013, three years ahead of target.

On the occasion of the start of the Cypriot presidency of the Council that will last from July to December 2012, the Cypriot government indicated what the main points of its work will be. Firstly it will be to make the EU more effective and sustainable, notably from a financial point of view by completing the reform of the multi-annual financial framework and the common agricultural policy. A second axis will be the strengthening of the European economy, which must drive towards more growth and the development of the internal market. The EU also has to devote more to its citizens, to solidarity and cohesion. Finally the EU must assert its world dimension by drawing closer to its neighbourhood in particular.

On 28th June 2012 the Spanish Parliament finally approved the 2012 budget. This budget, which has never been as austere should enable the recovery of over 27 billion euros and reduce the deficit from 8.9% to 5.3% of the GDP. In real terms the budgets of the various ministries will be reduced by 16.9% and some taxes will increase, notably income tax, company tax and tobacco tax.

According to a poll by Tilder-LCI-OpinionWay on 21st June 2012 77% of the French say they support a more integrated Europe, from a political, budgetary and financial point of view in a bid to counter the crisis more effectively. 29% of the French interviewed between 20th and 21st June say that they are "totally in favour" and 48% "rather in favour" of greater integration. They support both France's position (49%) to "revive growth", and that of Germany (49%) "to control public spending and reduce debt". 68% of them spoke in support of a re-balancing of public acocunt as a priority via reductions in public spending, 4% support an increase in taxes, 27% say that both approaches have to combined together.

Former banker, Yannis Stournaras, 55, professor at the University of Economy of Athens, an expert on macro-economic and European issues, was appointed Finance Minister on 26th June 2012 following the resignation of Vassilis Rapanos for health reasons. Development Minister in the outgoing interim government, Mr Stournaras also heads the Greek Employers' Centre (Iobe).

On 27th June 2012 the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the reform of the labour market which had been approved on first reading by the Senate on 31st May. The government indeed asked Parliament to step up the adoption procedure so that the European Council might note the reform. The latter, which has been Mario Monti's priority since he came to office in November 2011 is based on the Danish flexisecurity model and aims to increase the flexibility of the Italian labour market, to reduce precarity and to foster the employment of young people via apprenticeships.

As part of the celebrations of her diamond jubilee Queen Elizabeth II travelled on 26th and 27th June 2012 to Northern Ireland. During this historic trip the Queen met Martin McGuiness, the former IRA leader and present Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. This meeting seems to symbolise an appeasement in Anglo-Irish relations.

The EU Police Misssion announced on 30th June 2012 that it was leaving Bosnia-Herzegovina deeming that it had helped to stabilise this Balkan country which experienced inter-community war from 1992-1995. "We have been a major player in improving the security situation in Bosnia," declared Stefan Feller, the mission's head. The EU is thereby putting an end to its first ever civilian mission launched in 2003 as part of the Common European Security and Defence Policy.

On 28th June 2012, the Serb President Tomislav Nikolic announced the appointment of the Socialist leader Ivica Dacic as Prime Minister. The former Interior Minister has until 5th September to form a new government and present it at the Assembly's vote of investiture.

On 30th June in Geneva according to the USA an agreement on the principles of transition for Syria was reached during a meeting of the Action Group on Syria, thereby opening the way for the post-Assad era, whilst Russia and China have said that it is up to the Syrians to decide on their future. The agreement notably plans for the transition government to include members of the present government. Kofi Annan did however say that he doubted very much that the Syrians would choose peope "who have blood on their hands" to lead them.

On 27th June 2012 the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published International Migration Prospects 2012. They stress that immigration in the OECD countries, which had been impeded by the world economic and financial crisis, "was starting to recover". During the presentation of the results in Brussels OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria declared that "countries should grant greater attention to long term needs of the labour market, focus on competences and define policies in view of integrating migrants." In the EU's case long term unemployment for immigrants had risen and by 2015 immigration, if maintained at its present rate, will not be enough to maintain a constant European population of working age.

According to a rapid estimate published by Eurostat on 29th June the euro zone's annual inflation rate lay at 2.4% in June 2012. In May the rate also lay at 2.4%.

The Democratic Initiatives Foundation and the Institute of Public Affairs in Warsaw have jointly published a report entitled "Making Ukrainian Society Matter". Whilst democratic principles continue to be infringed, the role played by Ukrainian civil society is for its part increasingly brought to the fore. This civil society, the key player in political, economic, social and cultural life does need external help however so that it can remain dynamic, diverse and effective. This report offers a certain number of recommendations that would enable "international aid" in supporting Ukrainian civil society.

The 32nd Vienne Jazz Festival is taking place until 13th July 2012 in the Antique Theatre of this town in Isère. This year the festival is focusing on three themes: "the meeting of all types of jazz", "the discovery of a new jazz generation" and "effervescence in the regional arena". On the menu is the best modern jazz and also soul, blues and world music. As in the previous festivals the concerts are being organised on one theme. This year will focus on "strings" in every shape and form (guitar, piano, vocal chords).