The permanent Atlas of the European Union, published by the Robert Schuman Foundation and co-managed by Jean-Dominique Giuliani and Pascale Joannin, Chairman and General Director of the Foundation respectively, is the first atlas of Europe that not only presents the 27 Member States but also the EU and the euro zone. It is the reference work to order from the Foundation's site to learn everything there is to know about Europe.

On 28th October the Ukrainians will be appointing the 450 members of their Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, who are elected for five years. 225 MPs will be appointed according to the list-system and 225 by a majority vote. The percentage of votes cast, which a party has to win to have a seat in Parliament, is 5%. 5,771 people are officially running, 2,644 in the constituencies voting according to the proportional system and 3,127 according to the majority vote. The campaign is taking place in a strange atmosphere since former Prime Minister and opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko is behind bars at present. She has not been allowed to stand for election.

For the seventh consecutive month the economic sentiment indicator has declined by 85 points amongst consumers and company heads (-1.1 points in comparison with August 2012). This crisis confidence is at a peak in the retail trade and amongst consumers who fear for the economy's health as a whole. Only the building industry seems to be doing better (+1.2 points). As a comparison this indicator declined considerably in France, the Netherlands, Germany, unlike in Spain where the indicator is rising (+1.3). Across the entire EU, the economic sentiment indicator has declined by 0.9 points.

On 25th September 2012 the European Commission announced that it had lodged a request for a consultation with the USA. It believes that the measures taken by the American government on the request of the WTO concerning aid granted to Boeing were inadequate. Criticising the lack of information provided by the American authorities, European leaders also deem that the US has not ended its support to Boeing and that corrective measures have not been taken as far as past aid was concerned. The USA and the EU now have fifteen days to settle this dispute bilaterally.

MEPs were consulted on 26th September 2012 on the introduction of a the Single Supervisory Mechanism of European banks put forward by the Commission mid-September. They stressed that the calendar put forward by the Commission was unrealistic (since the mechanism is supposed to be operational in January 2013) and that the transfer of power over to a European level had to be balanced. In their opinion the European Parliament should have greater powers via audiences, inquiries, the appointment of a director and the setting of a budget. Finally the biggest issue pointed to by some MEPs is the danger of fragmenting the single European market if there were different supervisory rules between the States subject to the SSM and those who will not be taking part.

On 24th September 2012 the 27 Agriculture Ministers discussed the reform of the common agricultural policy. Debate mainly focused on the draft regulation that aims to support rural development. The ministers also discussed another draft regulation designed to establish a common market of agricultural products. As far as the common fisheries policy was concerned Ministers debated the introduction of a European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, insisting on the need to simplify procedures and modernise the fleet. They criticised the recent protocol on fishing signed by the Commission with Mauritania as well as the excessive quotas of mackerel that are taken by Iceland and the Faroe Islands in the Northern Atlantic.

An EU country which sees the arrival of an asylum seeker within its borders must guarantee him the necessary material conditions so that he can enjoy a new life said the European Court of Justice on 27th September 2012. This obligation is valid even if that State anticipates transferring the asylum seeker to another EU country as European legislation allows it to do, stressed the court. The Court in Luxembourg was giving its decision in a case that opposed the French State and two French organisations responsible for refugees, the Cimade and the Gisti.

Former German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück has been chosen to stand for the Social Democratic Party against Chancellor Angela Merkel in the general elections that are to take place in the autumn of 2013 said the party's chairman Sigmar Gabriel on 28th September 2012. Peer Steinbrück, an economist and firmly set on the party's right, was Finance Minister in the grand coalition between the Conservatives/Social Democrats from 2005-2009 led by Ms Merkel.

On 27th September during a ministers council the Spanish government approved a budget on 2013 that is marked by austerity; it aims to recover 39 billion euros in order to cut the public deficit by half (from 8.9% of the GDP in 2011 to 4.5% in 2013). Spain's public debt will rise to 85.3% of the GDP at the end of 2012, then to 90.5% in 2013 according to the draft budget 2012 presented on 29th September to Parliament. The government also adopted a new reform plan creating an "independent budgetary authority" to supervise its accounts. The Spanish Budget Minister, Christobal Montoro announced that he was maintaining his forecast of a contraction in Spain's GDP of 0.5% in 2013 and that the public deficit in 2011, initially assessed at 8.96% of the GDP, will be revised upwards to 9.44%, to reach 7.4% in 2012, against the 6.3% promised to its European partners.

On 28th September 2012 the French Economy and Finance Minister, Pierre Moscovici presented a draft law on the programming of public finances to the council of ministers covering the period 2012-2017 and the draft finance law for 2013. Built on a growth forecast of 0.8% in 2013 this austerity budget increases taxes by 20 billion euros (households and businesses) and reduces State spending by 10 billion euros, in order to bring the public deficit down from 4.5% of the GDP to 3% at the end of 2013. The Social Security budget presented on 1st October is forecasting a deficit of around 11 billion euros of the general regime next year against just over 13 billion this year. On the quest for new revenue sources the government has decided to introduce a tax of 0.15% on taxable retirement pensions in 2013.

On 25th September 2012, as part of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of the Eurogroup and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker called on Russia and the EU to step up their cooperation in spite of their differences. The Kremlin has reacted sharply to the launch of an EU inquiry into Gazprom that is suspected of anti-competitive practices in several countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which are heavily dependent on deliveries of Russian gas. For its part on 25th September 2012 the European Parliament announced that the three young women from Pussy Riot sentenced by the Russian government to two years in prison for protesting against Mr Putin in the cathedral in Moscow feature amongst the five people running for the Sakharov Prize for the freedom of expression.

In a joint article Ian King, CEO of BAE systems and Tom Enders, CEO of EADS explained their desire to merge the two European industrial giants. More than a question of making sizeable savings this rapprochement would enable the new organisation to have an international base and a wider clientele. The savings made would also enable greater investement in research and development. They are also suggesting a change in terms of the shareholders, so that everyone can enjoy the same rights. Government support will be necessary to complete this project.

A pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) comprising 7 members travelled to Kyiv for a two day visit on 20th and 21st September 2012. It advised on a certain number of measures to take so that on 28th October next voters will be offered true alternatives and for them to be able to choose freely, in line with Ukraine's commitments towards the Council of Europe. It notably called for the strenghtening of the pluralism of the media during the pre-electoral period. It also said it was very concerned about the trial and detention of two opposition leaders, Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuri Lutsenko.

From 25th September to 1st October 2012 the UN held its 67th annual General Assembly. Assembly President, Serb, Vuk Jeremic placed this meeting under the banner of "adjustment or peaceful settlement to international situations and differences". Amongst the most pertinent subjects that were addressed were the conflict in Syria, stability in Africa, notably Sahel and the Congolese province of North-Kivu, the Arab revolutions and the consolidation of new democracies, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and tension over the Iranian nuclear issue. Other important themes were also mentioned such as the fight to counter drugs in Latin America, the challenges to development and sustainable development, concerns of small island states and also international security issues.

According to a press release by Eurostat on 28th September 2012 inflation in September rose to 2.7% in the euro zone against 2.6% in August. High energy and food prices are the main cause of this.

According to a study published by Eurobarometer on 25th September 2012 European citizens are better informed about the EU's space activities and are more convinced of its usefulness. 57% have heard of Galileo and 38% of the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, the EU's observation system). Three quarters of those interviewed believe that this space policy can have beneficial effects in terms of competitiveness, employment and growth. A similar share believe that the EU must develop matching activities in the areas of climate monitoring, crisis management, environment and transport. A common concern is expressed about the multiplication of space waste.

The Finnish Institute for International Affairs (FIIA) published a study on 27th September 2012 "Towards efficient early action" which looks into the means the EU has to prevent and manage conflicts since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The author reviews the quality of the tools created in this area by the treaty notably referring to new dialogue and conflict mediation tools.

Because of works, the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam is temporarily exhibiting at the Hermitage from 29th September 2012 to 25th April 2013. The museum's permanent collection is being shown from a new perspective. 75 paintings, selected letters, objects and work on paper will enable visitors to follow Vincent van Gogh in his personal quest for an artistic identity.