The second Diversity Forum will take place on 21st December next. Devoted to women's involvement and their success in the professional world it will address all types of themes (recruitment, mentoring, equal pay, promotion, access to the executive board etc ...) More than 2000 participants are expected to discuss how to improve diversity with the best experts in a series of workshops and with the support of 60 exhibitors. It is obligatory to enrol.

On 28th and 29th November 2012 the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Ifri are organising the 14th Franco-German strategic forum in Berlin entitled "Can Europe still defend itself?" The Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, will be speaking during the first session, which will focus on the need to introduce a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

On 20th November 2012 the IMF published its conclusions concerning the 6th quarterly assessment of Portugal, which will lead to the payment of a further tranche of aid totalling 2.5 billion euros as part of its international rescue plan of 78 billion euros. According to the IMF "the Portuguese authorities have demonstrated significant political determination in a bid to progress towards overcoming imbalances that have accumulated and to prevent crises." However "short term forecasts are still uncertain and the mid term challenges are considerable," the economic will certainly be in recession in 2013 with an increase in unemployment, which "has already risen to a record level." The IMF has conditioned the success of this programme by the reforms achieved by European countries to "overcome the fissures in the euro area."

On 21st November 2012 Cypriot Finance Minister, Vassos Shiarly announced that Cyprus needed aid of 17 billion euros over the period 2012-2016. The Cypriot Republic, which is in recession, is negotiating with the Troika (EU, ECB, IMF) in order to obtain this financial aid. Troika representatives arrived in Cyprus on 9th November last to negotiate an austerity programme in exchange for this aid. "We are on the right path and we hope to conclude a final agreement very soon," said Mr Shiarly who hopes that a memorandum will be ready for the Eurogroup meeting on 3rd December next.

On 19th November 2012 the Presidents of Germany, Poland and Italy met in Naples where they launched a joint "message of encouragement" to the Europeans. "We shall overcome this serious economic and financial crisis" they said, notably addressing young people. The three presidents plead for the construction of true political union and joint external action.

After several weeks of hard negotiation, Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo presented his draft budget for 2013 on 21st November 2012. In order to bring its deficit below 3% as requested by the EU the federal government has had to find 3.44 billion euros thanks to a combination of new revenues and a reduction in spending.

The Czech government adopted a draft budget 2013 on 21st November 2012, thereby limiting the public finance deficit to 2.9% of the GDP, below the 3% mark set by the Maastricht Treaty. This draft budget will be submitted to the lower chamber of Parliament on 28th November next.

Public finances in the UK worsened more than was forecast in October 2012 according to statistics published on 21st November 2012 by the Office for National Statistics. Hence the public deficit stands at £6.7 billion at present, i.e. 2.3 billion more than in October 2011. The public sector's net loan is also higher (£8.6 billion against £5.9 billion a year ago). The public debt totals £1.068,8 i.e. 67.9% of the GDP.

The European Parliament adopted its position concerning the draft regulation that aims to harmonise rules attesting to the conformity and the marketing of two or three wheeled vehicles and quadricycles. This regulation put forward by the European Commission in 2010 in virtue of the co-decision procedure aims to simplify existing rules governing the marketing of these vehicles in the Member States.

On 22nd November 2012 MEPs adopted a resolution 316 votes in support, 90 against and 20 abstentions recommending that European political parties put forward a candidate to stand for the position of President of the European Commission so that they undertake a real electoral campaign, thereby encouraging European voters to turn out to vote. They also suggested that the European elections be moved from June to May 2014 to give the newly elected Parliament more time to prepare the election of the President of the Commission. Finally they are inviting the Member States to establish "minimum, appropriate, proportionate thresholds" in their electoral law for the attribution of seats so that the choice of the citizens is reflected to the full.

On 21st November 2012 the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz awarded the Lux Cinema Prize to Italian director Andrea Segre. This prize was given for Segre's film "Io sono Li" which illustrates problems of immigration and the tension that can arise between belonging to a community and personal fulfillment.

MEPs adopted a resolution on 20th November 2012 asking for the EU's increased powers to be completed by greater responsibility. MEPs explained that the framework offered by the present treaties could be completed they also said that it is already adequate to undertake the first major reforms. MEPs are also asking for members of the Economic and Monetary Union to adopt a social pact. Finally they stressed the importance of involving the national parliaments more, so that they can take on board the European dimension when they draw up national policies.

On 22nd November 2012 the third meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism - EU/Peru took place. Both parties stressed the need to complete the trilateral free trade agreement with Colombia. They also committed to cooperating more on social, economic and environmental aspects of mineral extraction in Peru, deemed to be a major factor in the development of this country and of great interest to the European economy. The day before a second meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism EU-Colombia also took place. Discussions mainly focused on the development of the mining industry and competitiveness. To develop mining activities both sides explained that the environment had to be taken into consideration, together with healthcare and security standards.

During the 22nd Congress of European Banks in Frankfurt, Mario Draghi spoke on 23rd November about the recovery of confidence over the future of the euro zone. This provided the President of the ECB with an opportunity to review all of the initiatives that have been launched to stabilise the euro zone and to strengthen its governance. He also called for the support of banking union and the creation of a supervisory mechanism in view of completing Economic and Monetary Union.

German growth was confirmed at 0.2% in the third quarter, according to final figures communicated by the Federal Statistics Office, Destatis on 23rd November 2012. In the third quarter Europe's leading economy increased its GDP by 0.2%, in comparison with the previous months, according to data adjusted to variations in the calendar, the seasons and to prices indicated a Destatis press release. "The German economy is resisting the European recession but at a slowing pace," commented Destatis.

On 24th November 2012 the Basque separatist group ETA, published a press release in which it said it was prepared to negotiate with France and Spain in view of its "dissolution". Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernande Diaz rejected these declarations saying that he only expected an "unconditional dissolution" of ETA after the announcement of the end of nearly 40 years of armed combat for the independence of the Basque country and Navarre on 20th October 2011. According to French Interior Minister Manuel Vals, "no negotiation is possible" before the "prior dissolution of ETA" and "the relinquishment of arms, although it is up to the Spanish to lead the process to its conclusion, notably regarding prisoners".

On 22nd November 2012 the French Parliament finally adopted the organic draft bill on the "budgetary golden rule". As on first reading this draft that confirms the "golden rule" in the balance of public finances as planned for by the European budgetary treaty was approved by 320 votes in support, 22 against. The organic law allows the laws governing the multi-annual programming of public finances to implement this rule which anticipates a "structural" budgetary deficit (apart form economic alea) limited to 0.5% of the GDP as quickly as possible.

On 21st November 2012 Mario Monti's government launched a productivity pact. After three months of negotiations an agreement establishing the "main guidelines for growth of productivity and competitiveness in Italy" was signed between the government and social partners (ABI, ANIA, Confindustria, the international cooperative Alliance, the Network of Businesses in Italy, CISL, UIL and UGL).

On 22nd November 2012 the lower chamber of the Italian parliament adopted, 372 votes in support, 73 against and 16 abstentions, the draft budget 2013 - a version that was adjusted in comparison with the initial draft put forward by the government on 10th October. The draft is due to be submitted to the Senate. Hence the reduction of the tax rate on household revenues by one point in two of the lowest bands, asked for by Mr Monti which was designed to be a symbol of the quest for greater equity between citizens in the face of the crisis, was deleted. VAT will increase by one point as planned as of July 2013, but this concerns the ordinary rate of 21%, whilst the reduced rate of 10% will not be changed. MEPs revised fiscal incentives to businesses upwards, in a bid to improve productivity for the period 2013-2015.

On 21st November 2012 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced an investment of 100 billion zlotys (around 24 billion euros) into the energy sector by 2020. 4 billion zlotys (around 9.7 billion euros will be devoted to the building of eight new power plants that will guarantee 17% of the countries requirements in terms of electricity, whilst in the nuclear and shale gas sectors 40 billion and 5 billion zlotys will be invested respectively. Storage, production and transit infrastructures will also be concerned. The goal is to diversify supply sources in order to guarantee energy independence for the country and to avoid electricity shortages.

On 21st November 2012 the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and PwC published a joint study "Paying Taxes 2013". This study focuses on the tax regime of 185 economies and the reforms undertaken within some of them. It shows that in spite of the present economic difficulties governments are continuing to reform in order to create an environment that is better for businesses, focusing particularly on the introduction or the improvement of on-line payment systems. One of the economists who took part in the study, Andrew Sentence, notably stresses that actions that aim to reduce red-tape mean higher growth rates.

On 21st November 2012 the European Agency for the Environment published a report entitled "Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe, 2012". The latter highlights the climate changes seen in Europe, notably higher average temperatures, a reduction in rainfall in the southern regions and in increase of this in northern Europe. This report also points to the fact that "extreme events" such as flooding and drought "have led to damage that is increasingly costly to Europe [...] the future development of the climate will probably increase vulnerability." In order to prevent an increase in these costs the report calls on European businesses to adapt themselves.

On 22nd November 2012 Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian presented the annual report on France's export of arms to Parliament. This report gives details of the government's policy in this area and explains France's position in this market in which it lies fifth in the world ranking of arms exporters. Orders from Asia brought arms exports from France in 2011 up to 6.5 billion euros; this has enabled it to remain in the group of leading export countries in a market which has many new competitors. This figure respresents a rise of 27% in comparison with the 5.12 billion in orders placed in 2010.

The Städel Museum in Frankfurt is devoting an exhibition to the Italian painter Raphaël (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, 1483-1520) entitled "Raphaël - drawings". The exhibition includes 48 drawings by the Renaissance master from the Städel Museum as well as from the Louvre and the Offices in Florence. The exhibition is on until 3rd February 2013.

The Pompidou Centre is paying tribute until 25th March 2013 to Salvador Dali, one of the most controversial and most popular artists of the 20th century. Visitors will be able to see some of his most important works such as "The Persistence of Memory" better know as "Melting Watches". In all, the exhibition presents more than 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings as well as films, excerpts from programmes and photos.