Europe House in Paris is organising a conference "Should we be proud of being European?" on 14th May 2013. Pascale Joannin, General Manager of the Robert Schuman Foundation and Joachim Bitterlich, former advisor to Helmut Kohl and member of the Robert Schuman Foundation's Scientific Committee will be taking part in the panel of speakers. Speeches will be followed by a debate and a vote on the recommendations to improve education about Europe.

Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), the party led by outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borissov came out ahead in the early general elections which took place on 12th May in Bulgaria. The definitive results confirmed the status quo marked by the impossibility for both biggest political parties to form a coalition government with an absolute majority. According to the electoral commission the party led by Boyko Borissov won 30.50% of the vote and 97 seats (-20 in comparison with the last election on 5th July 2009) in the National Assembly, the only Chamber of the parliament. The Socialist Party (BSP) won 26.61% of the vote and 84 seats (+44). The Movement for Rights and Freedom (DPS), led by Lyutvi Mestan took third place with 11.29% of the vote and 36 seats (-1). Finally Ataka, the far right party led by Volen Siderov won 7.3% of the vote and 23 seats (+2). Turnout was low: 51.33% of the Bulgarians went to vote. Which coalition will now govern Bulgaria?

The troika, comprising the IMF, the European Commission and the ECB, announced on 9th May 2013 that is had finalised its 10th assessment of the economic situation in Ireland, which will lead to the release of 2.4 billion euros in loans. The "Irish programme is still on target, progressive recovery is continuing and there have be further improvements in market conditions for sovereign debt and the banks," says the troika, which is forecasting growth of 1% in 2013 and more than 2% in 2014. However the report maintains that work still has to be undertaken by the banks in terms of reducing "unsustainable" SME debt and by the government in addressing the "structural" nature of unemployment that remains high at 14%.

On 7th May 2013 the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy travelled to Finland where he gave a speech on the future of Europe at the University of Helsinki. The President of the Council presented his "strategy that comprises four fundamental elements": maintaining financial stability, making European economies stronger by increasing structural reform, taking immediate measures for employment and growth and finally the introduction of banking union.

The European Commission adopted a strategy devoted to the green infrastructure on 6th May 2013. In reality this entails the promotion of urban projects that foster natural and ecological processes. Green infrastructures are an advantage for the environment, for society and also for the economy says Environment Commissioner, Janez Potocnik who believes that they will enable the provision of "solutions that are in harmony and not in conflict with nature." This strategy will be supported by a promotional campaign and should be integrated into the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. The Commission has committed to supporting green infrastructure projects across the European Union.

On 6th May 2013 the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny met to discuss budgetary issues. These discussions should lead to the conclusion of the 2013 budget from which 11.2 billion euros are still missing. A first tranche might be achieved at the next "Economy and Finance" Council on 14th May. At the same time the settlement of the 2013 budget should open the way to further negotiations over the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2014-2020. The trilogue started on 13th May and focused on the recommendations made by the European Council in February 2013 on four points: flexibility, the revision clause, own resources and the unique nature of the budget. MEPs are reminded that they would be impeding all MFF negotiations as long as an agreement on the 2013 budget was not found.

On 8th May 2013 the European Council announced that it had come to agreement with the European Council on the issue of mortgage loans. The text under discussion provides better protection to consumers in terms mortgage loans, sometimes deemed irresponsible, and which in some cases have contributed to the present crisis. To people involved act responsibly. The directive points to the main principles and plans for standards to creditors and intermediaries, notably regarding client solvency.

On 8th May 2013 the European Court of Justice rejected a decision on housing introduced in 2009 by the Flemish region of Belgium that obliged anyone wanting to buy a property in Flanders to have a link with the community where he/she wanted to set up home. Given the number of complaints the Belgian Constitutional Court lodged a request for a preliminary ruling by the EU's Court of Justice in view of abolishing this law. The Court answered positively deeming that "it involved restrictions to fundamental freedoms the justification of which has to be established." According to the Flemish region these measures were supposed to help the poorest local inhabitants find housing but the Court of Justice declared that this decision went "beyond what was necessary to achieve the desired goal".

During the 25th anniversary of the Franco-German Economic and Financial Council, the French and German Economy and Finance Ministers (Pierre Moscovici and Wolfgang Schäuble) together with the presidents of the central banks (Christian Noyer and Jens Weidman) met in Berlin on 7th May 2013. During this meeting they discussed Franco-German relations with students of both countries and the role played by the couple in European integration. Moreover the two ministers stressed the importance of joint initiatives, notably the single currency, the fight to counter tax fraud and money laundering.

On the occasion of the launch of the International Car Show on 10th May 2013 in Barcelona, the head of the Spanish government Mariano Rajoy recalled that the automotive sector was one of the government's priorities. He also announced that additional investments of one billion euros would be made in the automotive sector, with previous support to this industry boosting the upkeep of domestic demand in the country. In just over one year 5 billion euros have been invested in the Spanish automotive sector.

On 6th May 2013 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the presidential election the members of the government met in a seminar with French president François Hollande, during which he presented the results of this first year and the government's outlook. He announced that Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault would present an investment plan over the next few weeks regarding new technologies in particular. Discussions notably focused on the two years reprieve given by the European Commission to France to fulfil its budgetary commitments, the expected return of growth in 2014, the reminder of the commitment to turn the unemployment trend around by the end of 2013. The president set three priorities for the year to come: "the battle for employment", "youth", and "the preparation for the future".

On 6th May 2013 the President of the Italian Council, Enrico Letta travelled to Spain for a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy. During a press conference the two men supported European integration, saying that "they were doing everything possible to give Economic and Monetary Union the stability it required." They agreed on national reforms that had to be "supported by reform relative to growth mechanisms provided by the European Union." Moreover they requested European countries to move faster on banking, fiscal and political union. It would be "unforgiveable" not to adopt real measures on banking union and especially on youth employment during the next European Council in June, concluded Enrico Letta.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski made a State visit to France on 7th and 8th May 2013. On 7th May he met his French counterpart, François Hollande in Paris. The two men discussed the revival of the Franco-Polish partnership and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, notably in the economic and military sectors. During their meeting the future of European integration, notably as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy, was the focus of long discussion.

The 26th Hispano-Portuguese Summit took place on 13th May 2013 in Madrid. The economic situation and the work undertaken by both countries to consolidate their public accounts was the focus of the summit. The European project for banking union and the EU's work for growth and employment were also discussed. On an international note the Union for the Mediterranean, the situation in the Middle East and relations with Latin America were on the agenda. In addition to the bilateral meeting between the Head of the Spanish government Mariano Rajoy and his Portuguese counterpart Pedro Passos Coelho, thematic meetings involving ministers from both countries were organised.

On 8th May 2013 Queen Elizabeth II read the traditional "Queen's Speech" to Parliament at Westminster. In this speech she announced the British government's programme for the year to come, which was prepared beforehand by Prime Minister David Cameron's cabinet. Amongst the main themes presented the government notably emphasised a reform on immigration, stepping up the fight to counter crime, the capping of social benefits "to get people back to work" and a revised calculation of retirement pensions. Priority is being placed on the economy, particularly the reduction of the deficit and the upkeep of low interest rates. For the first time in 17 years the Queen delivered the speech in the company of her son Charles, a gesture that was interpreted as symbolic of a transition in the royal family.

The European rocket, Vega was launched in the night of 6th to 7th May 2013 from the Guianese space centre of Kourou. It placed two observation satellites in orbit over the earth, one European, another Vietnamese, and also a first Estonian satellite. The European satellite Proba-V, built for the European Space Agency, will provide information that will enable the mapping of vegetal cover and its variations across the world for the next two and a half years.

On 8th May 2013 during an informal meeting of the heads of delegations of the WTO (World Trade Organisation), the three facilitators in the selection process of the new Director General recommended Brazilian Robert Azevedo. His formal appointment will come on 14th May during the plenary meeting of the Council with the 159 WTO Member States. Mr Azevedo is due to replace the present Director General Frenchman Pascal Lamy on 1st September. The Brazilian is the first WTO leader to come from one of the emerging countries. He will mainly focus on reviving the Doha Round on the liberalisation of trade that was started in 2001 and which has been in stalemate for the last few years.

According to a survey published by IPSOS/CGI/Publicis on 7th May 2013 there is a deep running feeling of concern and apathy in Europe regarding the economic crisis. Many Europeans fear for the future: 51% think that in the future their children will not live as well as they have and 40% fear a downturn in their living conditions which will prevent them from ageing with dignity". Many also mistrust, and even reject their national governments which are not offering any "constructive solutions to the crisis". In Spain for example some of those interviewed are quick to speak of a "distant war that has already been lost" and 66% of those interviewed believe that the crisis "will not give rise to revival or adequate reform."

The 66th Cannes Festival, chaired by American film-maker Steven Spielberg, will be taking place from 15th to 26th May 2013. In all, more than fifty films will be presented and many famous directors will be running in the official competition this year, notably the Coen brothers, Roman Polanski, Steven Soderbergh, François Ozon, Asghar Farhadi and Abdellatfi Kechiche. As part of the 100th anniversary of Bollywood, India will be the guest of honour at this year's festival and the film "Bombay Talkies" will be presented during the gala session.