As part of the partnership between the Robert Schuman Foundation and Audiovisuel extérieur de la France (AEF), the Foundation is broadcasting its latest programme 'Talking Europe' on its site, whose guest this week is Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta. He said he was satisfied with the fact that the horsemeat scandal had been "acknowledged by France as being its responsibility and not that of Romania." After having attempted to impeach President Basescu last summer he said he was not "friends with him but now entertained appeased relations which worry the EU less. "

The leader of the Democratic Assembly (DISY), Nicos Anastasiades supported by the Democratic Party (DIKO), was elected to the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus in the second round of the election on 24th February. He won 57.48% of the vote ahead of the former Healthcare Minister (2011-2012) Stavros Malas (Progressive Workers' Party, AKEL), who won 42.52% of the vote. Turnout totalled 81.58%, ie - 9.26 points less in comparison with the second round of the previous election on 17th and 24th February 2008. Nicos Anastasiades will officially take over from Demetris Christofias as the head of Cyprus on March 1st next.

The worst scenario finally emerged in the parliamentary elections that took place in Italy on 24th and 25th February. The leftwing coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani won 29.54% of the vote, taking 340 seats in the Chamber of Deputies pulling just ahead of the rightwing coalition led by former President of the Council Silvio Berlusconi (PdL) which won 29.18% and 124 seats. In the upper chamber, the Senate, the left came first with 31.63% of the vote (and 113 seats) but this is too weak a lead to be able to form a majority, since the rightwing coalition won 30.72% of the vote and 116 seats. The Five Stars Movement (M5s) led by Beppe Grillo won 25.55% of the vote and 108 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 23.79% of the vote and 54 seats in the Upper Chamber. The centrist coalition led by the outgoing President of the Council Mario Monti came fourth ; it won 45 seats in the lower chamber and 18 in the Senate. The coalition Civil Revolution led by Antonio Ingroia did not achieve the threshold of 10% of the vote to be able to have a representation in parliament.

On 20th February 2013 during the annual debate on the state of the country the head of the Spanish government Mariano Rajoy defended the austerity policy which he has been undertaking since 2011 as he spoke to MPs. "It has cost us blood and tears, but the boat has not sunk," he declared. Recalling that 5,965,400 Spanish were still without work, he maintained that his government's priority was to turn this trend thanks to a series of "second generation" reforms, notably to stimulate employment and the activity of SMEs. On 23rd February tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid in protest against austerity and corruption at a time when Spain is under the threat of an explosive cocktail of unemployment, recession and is questioning the institutions that have been shaken by a series of scandals.

On 22nd February 2013 the European Commission published its economic forecasts. In this report it notes a "disappointing" economic performance in Europe in spite of the improvement on the financial markets and believes that growth recovery (0.1% in 2013) will come more from exports than domestic consumption, which is still weak. The Commission believes that the unemployment rate will total 11.1% in 2013 in the EU and 12.2% in the euro zone. Inflation is due to slow however reaching 1.7% and 1.5% respectively. The Commission believes however that the risks of a downturn in growth prospects are "high".

The banking system in Cyprus, which is extremely vulnerable because of the Greek crisis, needs help that might total 8.86 billion euros, as part of a rescue plan for the island - accroding to a Pimco Funds report published on 22nd February by the official agency CNA. The Pimco investment fund was asked to undertake an audit of the Cypriot banks' needs by the EU, the ECB and the IMF - from whom Cyprus has asked for financial aid to avoid bankruptcy. The Pimco audit covers the portfolio of the Bank of Cyprus and the Popular Cyprus Bank, likewise the Hellenic Bank, the Greek Alpha Bank Cyprus, the Eurobank Cyprus and a panel representing around 63% of the cooperative credit institutions. On the Troika's request Cyprus has already adopted a series of austerity measures representing 7.25% of the GDP over four years.

Just as the UK is about to plunge into recession the country witnessed the withdrawal of its triple A for the first time since 1978 by the ratings agency Moody's. Analysts estimated that this sanction would only effect the markets slightly. Taking down the rating a notch to "Aa1" Moody's spoke on 22nd February 2013 of the UK's "continuing weak midterm outlook" and said that it was now expecting the country's subdued economic activity to "extend into the second half of the decade".

According to a report published on 22nd February 2013 by the European Commission the protection against secondary tobacco smoke has improved significantly in the Union. In 2012 28% of Europeans were exposed to it in drinking establishments, a figure that has dropped in comparison with the 46% in 2009. This report dissipates fears of seeing the smoking ban affect the revenues of bars and restaurants negatively. It shows that the economic effects have been limited or neutral over time. However it does illustrate the delay in application on the part of some Member States, who do not yet have full legislation to protect public health and which do not apply it completely either.

On 21st February the European Commissioner responsible for trade, Karel de Gucht explained the advantages of the launch of negotiations for a free-trade agreement between the EU and the US to the European Parliament's International Trade Committee. MEPs supported this move but said that this agreement would not be made just any price. On 15th February 2013 the European Commission asked the Council to give its go ahead to negotiations as part of a new international agreement on the trade of services.

As he spoke to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on 18th February 2013, the President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, declared that "potential inflationist bubbles still exist and are threatening the euro zone's economy and that the possible effects of the euro's exchange rates on inflation had to be watched carefully." The exchange rate should not be reduced therefore. Mario Draghi stressed that the banks needed a single, strong supervisory system with common rules for the settlement of crises. MEPs asked the ECB to increase bank loans granted to the real economy.

On 20th February 2013 an agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Commission on the "two-pack" which completes the budgetary rules that were already tightened in 2011 by the "six-pack"; this means that sanctions will be set on countries more rapidly if they do not respect the budgetary deficit and public debt goals. Now Member States will have to present their draft budgets to Brussels before presenting them to their own parliaments. The Commission may then issue an opinion but not a veto. If the recommendations are not followed by action it could threaten to impose financial sanctions on the countries which find themselves in excessive deficit. In exchange for this tightening in budgetary discipline Parliament achieved concessions in support of growth. The agreement has to be adopted by Parliament during a vote in the March plenary session.

On 22nd February 2013 the 27 Energy Ministers debated the draft directive put forward by the European Commission designed to promote biofuels whose CO2 emissions are limited. The European Parliament is due to vote in July 2013. They also worked on the completion of the European Energy Market stressing the need to complete it by 2014 and the need for greater consumer involvement.

On 19th February 2013 signed the international agreement establishing the Unified Patent Court which will ensure the implementation of European legislation in all of the participating Member States. This specialist court will have three main tasks: to prevent the multiplication of the processes in the various national jurisdictions, to prevent contradictory decisions being made, and to reduce the costs linked to these affairs. Three Member States must now ratify the agreement before it can enter into force.

On 25th February 2013 the 27 Agriculture Ministers adopted two specific regulations for the EU's outermost regions as well as for the islands in the Aegean Sea. After an agreement with the European Parliament these texts should support agriculture in areas that face specific difficulties, such as their size and demography, their remoteness and their lack of infrastructures.

On 18th February 2013 the 27 Foreign Ministers formally approved the launch of the mission to train the Malian army. Its goal is to support the training and reorganisation of the Malian Armed Forces. They also welcomed the initiative taken by the President of the National Coalition Forces in the Syrian revolution and opposition eader, Moaz al-Khatib, in view of political dialogue aiming to achieve the necessary conditions to reach a peaceful transition for a future without Bachar al-Assad. Moreover the EU firmly condemned the nuclear test undertaken by North Korea on 12th February last asking it to refrain from undertaking any further tests.

In a declaration to the Bundestag, the lower chamber in the German Parliament, Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the European Parliament on 21st February 2013 to approve the 2014-2020 budget negociated during the European Council on 7th and 8th February last. In virtue of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament now has to adopt the Union's multiannual financial framework.

On 22nd February 2013 in his speech on Europe German President Joachim Gauck pleaded for greater European integration. He called for greater effort in continuing unification. Speaking to 200 guests he stressed that the European project had to focus more on the citizens. He recalled that Germany was not trying to set a "diktat" on Europe: "It is my deep belief that in Germany more Europe does not mean a German Europe. It means rather, a European Germany." In regard to the UK the president called on the country to stay in the EU.

French President François Hollande travelled to Greece on 19th February 2013. During a press conference with Antonis Samaras, Greek Prime Minister, he announced that the 0.8% growth rate forecast by his government for 2013 would not be achieved. The President's visit provided an opportunity to recall the support and the links of friendship that unite the two countries. Both leaders concluded economic parternships, notably in sectors where privatisation is necessary (transport, airports electricity). In this context the French President met 40 Greek company heads. France also suggested the integration of FREMM type frigates for hydrocarbon exploration in the Aegean Sea, the use of which would enable Greece to achieve a stronger energy position in Europe.

The International Agricultural Show is being held until 3rd March in Paris. All of the actors in the agricultural world are gathering there and will be presenting their work. Moreover this year the show is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the central theme being "agriculture at the heart" of people, towns, the arts and the regions.

On 20th February 2013 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a "slight but interesting" ministerial reshuffle. Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski will become Deputy Prime Minister and retain his ministry at the same time. Interior Minister Jacek Cichocki will be replaced by Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz. The Prime Minister also announced that a more extensive ministerial reshuffle was planned mid-year, since some ministers have been in office for nearly six years.

On 20th February 2013 the lower Chamber of the Polish Parliament, (Sejm) gave the greenlight to the ratification of the European Budgetary Pact (282 votes in support, 155 against). Following Parliament's agreement Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has to ratify the text thereby making the country the 17th European State to adopt the budgetary pact. Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski recalled, during the vote, that Poland's participation in this pact would help strengthen the country's influence within the EU. The Robert Schuman Foundation has updated its site with a summary table of the ratifications in the various countries across the Union.

The latest survey (Parlemeter) of the European Parliament by Eurobarometer has just been published. Undertaken amongst 26,739 citizens the survey confirms that the crisis is the focus of all concern. 51% of Europeans (+7 in comparison with 2006) say they are interested in European affairs. The image the Europeans have of the European Parliament has remained almost stable over one year and over the period 2007-2012; it is neutral for most Europeans (43% +2 in comparison with 2007). 75% of Europeans think that the European Parliament plays an important role and 54% hope that it will play a greater role in the future compared to now.

According to figures published on 18th February 2013 by the SIPRI (Stockholm Peace Research Institute), in 2011 budgetary austerity led to a reduction in the sales of a 100 of the world's biggest arms groups (except for China). Taking account of inflation the total turnover of a 100 of these groups contracted by 5% in comparison with the previous year.

The Kunstkammer of Vienna will open its doors again on 1st March 2013. The museum will be presenting some rare imperial treasures and also objects from the Habsbourg curiosity cabinet. The collection has one of the most remarkable Art Cabinets in the world and presents precious objects dating back to the Midde Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque Period.

As part of the events celebrating its 40th anniversary the National Marc Chagall Museum in Nice is putting on an exhibition "Marc Chagall, from a war to another" until 20th May 2013. Some of the work undertaken by the artist between the two world wars are on show. The exhibition highlights the most secret, most unknown part of Chagall's work - his drawings - since 60 drawings, gouaches and collages are on show.

The Petit Palais is putting on an exhibition of around 100 works until 4th August 2013 by Ziem (paintings, water colours, and drawings) that have been brought together under the name of "J'ai rêvé le beau". Renowned for his Mediterranean skies and his landscapes of Venice and Constantinople the French painter is believed to be one of the precursors of Impressionism. Water and sky occupy a predominant place in his luminous landscapes which made him famous. Moreover the painter's travel diary, his sketches and his copies of the Italian and Dutch masters will also be on show.