As part of the partnership between the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Audiovisuel extérieur de la France (AEF), the Foundation is broadcasting its recent programme "Talking Europe" on its site, whose guest this week is European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, responsible for culture and education. Following the free trade agreements with the USA the Commissioner explains why Europe has to act in order to protect its "cultural exception".

On 10th June 2013 the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) announced that the Netherlands should save between 6 and 8 billion euros if it wants to bring its public deficit within the European limit of 3% of the GDP in 2014. According to the Central Bank "without additional policy, the public deficit will increase and rise beyond 3.5% in 2013 and 3.9% in 2014." The Hague announced on March 1st 2013 that it would have to save 4.3 billion euros more in 2014, which is more than the previous budgetary cuts in order to respect the European limit.

On 12th June 2013 the World Bank revised its global growth forecasts downwards maintaining that the world's economy was going to continue in 2013 at a slower pace than last year (2.2% of the GDP this year, just below the 2.3% recorded in 2012). The financial institution said in its report that this revision was linked to a stronger recession than forecast in Europe (-0.6% this year in comparison with -0.1% forecast to date) as well as a slowing on the markets of some emerging countries. "Growth has not been slowed because of a problem with demand but rather because the high growth we witnessed before the crisis was due to a bubble," explained Andrew Burns who managed the writing of this report.

The Spanish public debt rose sharply over the first quarter of 2013 to lie at a new record of 88.2% of the GDP. This is higher than the European limit of 60% of the GDP. The country's debt rose by 15.2 percentage points in comparison with the same period in the previous year, a rise which is linked both to the central administration and the 17 autonomous regions according to figures published on 14th June 2013 by the Bank of Spain.

On 12th June the European Commission published its annual scoreboard on digital progress. According to this document all of the EU is covered by basic broadband and more than half of the population has high-speed broadband: 54% of Europeans have an internet connection over 30 megabits/second in comparison with 49% one year ago. However only 2% of households subscribe to an ultrarapid broadband connection (over 100 megabits/second), far from the EU's goal which is set at 50%. The table also shows that 70% of Europeans use the internet regularly (at least once a week) in comparison with 67% one year ago. Amongst the poorest this share totals 54% in comparison with 51% a year ago.

On 13th June the EU, by way of the Vice-President of the European Commission Antonio Tajani, announced that the EU had lodged a complaint with the WTO against China in the affair of the stainless steel seamless tubes from the EU. Japan also launched a complaint against China just a few months ago on the same issue. The EU's complaint comes in the context of the rise in tension between the EU and China with a series of trade disputes ranging from solar panels to telecoms, seamless tubes, crockery and wine.

On 12th June 2013 the European Commission suggested the extension of the automatic information exchange mechanism between the EU's tax administrations as part of the fight to counter tax fraud. In virtue of the proposal, dividends, added-value and all other forms of financial revenues and accounts would be added to the list of categories that are part of the automatic information exchange system in the Union whose future system will be the biggest in the world.

On 11th May 2013 the European Commission presented a major action plan for the future of the steel industry in Europe. Deeming that the countries of the EU have always had a major role to play in the market, whose demand is due to grow over the next few years, the Commission has prepared a new political strategy. It mainly comprises boosting demand by supporting competitive supply. To rise to modern challenges this strategy is based on the climate policy and investments in research and innovation. In the EU 360,000 people work in the steel industry, for a total turnover of 170 billion euros per year.

On 13th June 2013 the European Commission presented its proposal to reform nuclear safety in the EU. The Member States will notably have to ensure that radioactive waste in the event of an accident are inexistent, and organise joint assessment missions of the power plants every six years. New power plants will also have to offer greater guarantees of safety if the core is damaged - all powerplants will have to be equipped with an accident control centre which is hermetic to external risks (radiation, flooding, earthquakes etc ...).

On 12th June 2013 MEPs supported two texts relative to the reform of the Schengen area. Inspection teams comprising experts from the Member States, the Commission and European agencies will now be able to undertake surprise visits within the borders, and take part in external controls after issuing a 24 hour warning. The re-introduction of border controls within the internal borders will remain exceptional as a last resort and for a limited amount of time and also if there are threats to national security. The text says that migratory flows are not deemed a threat. The text still has to be approved by the Council before it enters into force.

On 13th June 2013 MEPs asked for the European External Action Service to be more ambitious. They believe it urgent to improve coordination with the other institutions, leadership, visibility and responsibility of this service which must also develop strategic planning and implement more effective means to respond to crises.

On 13th June 2013 MEPs exhorted Members States and the European Commission to step up the promised financial reforms. The resolution gives details of the legislation that has been delayed due to a lack of agreement at the Council, including the guarantee of savings over 100,000 euros, frozen since the start of 2012. The text calls on the Commission to put forward the suggestions that it announced, notably on legal safety in securities legislation which is now two years overdue.

on 13th June 2013 MEPs re-iterated their commitment to defend the territorial sovereignty, unity and integrity of Mali. They said they were pleased that the French had intervened supporting these principles as a first stage in the reconstruction and democratisation of Mali. They have asked the EU to make greater commitment in this process. They support a political process in Mali that will enable the country to achieve political stability and economic prosperity long term. They welcomed the creation on 6th March 2013 of the national dialogue and reconciliation committee. They have requested that a roadmap be implemented rapidly to ensure transition until the re-establishment of constitutional order and the rule of law across the country as a whole via the organisation of democratic, free, fair and transparent elections in 2013.

On 10th June 2013 the 27 Transport Ministers detailed the measures that have to be taken in support of the interoperability of the railway networks, notably distinguishing the responsibilities of the European Railways Agency from those of the national agencies. They also approved measures in support of road safety, particularly the identification of dangerous vehicles and the registration of documents as well as air safety regulations. They then revised the rules governing naval equipment to bring them in line with the EU and the Member States' international commitments and to make them clearer and simpler.

On 14th June 2013 the Council approved the agreement concluded on 29th May 2013 with the European Union on EUROSUR, the EU's external border monitoring system. The text notably includes the creation of coordination centres by the Member States. It will apply to land, maritime and airport borders and will enter into force on 2nd December 2013 on the southern and eastern borders of the EU and as of 1st December 2014 as far as other borders are concerned.

The 27 European Trade Ministers agreed on 14th June to exclude the audiovisual sector from the trade negotiations mandate with the USA. The negotiations mandate to launch trade talks between the EU and the USA was approved. "The audiovisual services are not in the mandate for the time being but might be included at a later date," explained Karel de Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade. However, to do this, all of the Member States would have to agree.

The next European elections to select the European Parliament's 751 MEPs have been brought forward. They will take place between 22nd and 25th May 2014 depending on the Member States. On 12th June 2013 MEPs defined the distribution of the seats between the various national delegations in these European elections. Apart from Germany, which will lose 3 seats to total 96 as planned in the Lisbon Treaty, 12 other Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania) will also each lose one seat. This new distribution, in the name of pragmatism, does not respect one of the vital principles defined in the Lisbon Treaty which demands degressive proportionality: France will be the least represented country in comparison with its population, with over 882,000 inhabitants per MEP, ahead of the UK (866,000), Spain (more than 855,000) and Germany (852,000). The best represented country is Malta with one MEP for 69,000 inhabitants.

On 12th June 2013 German President Joachim Gauck laid the foundation stone of the "Stadtschloss", the residency of the Kings of Prussia which is to be rebuilt in the centre of Berlin. At the end of work, planned for 2019, the castle will show the non-European treasures of the Berlin museums in the "Humboldt Forum". The rebuilding of this monument has been extremely controversial due to its cost. The German parliament defined a cap on spending at 590 million euros.

The 50th air show rallies all of the players in the world aviation industry focusing on the most recent technological innovations on 17th to 23rd June. The competition between Airbus and Boeing, the two unchallenged giants in aviation, will be played out on lucrative long-haul airplanes. The European manufacturer increased pressure on 14th June before the show had even opened as it undertook a successful inaugural flight of the future A350, thereby demonstrating that it was close on the trail of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners and the 777. Airbus is even planning a flight over the show at the end of the week with this new generation plane, comprising 53% composites, whose entry into service is planned for the end of 2014. The first four days of the show will be reserved for professionals followed by three days which will be open to the public.

British Prime Minister David Cameron delivered a speech on 10th June 2013 on the position of the UK in the world. He recalled that his country should try to find a balance between national withdrawal and too much opening to globalisation. He explained that the "battle for the country's future" should be undertaken on a national level as well as abroad. Finally he pinpointed three weaknesses that are preventing the country from being competitive in the world: an indebted, imbalanced economy, an oversized social protection system and a low performing education system. He explained that the UK's influence depended on stepping up diplomatic representation and even the country's presence in international institutions including the European Union.

According to a Eurostat publication released on 14th June 2013 the annual inflation rate increased by 0.2% in May in comparison with the previous month, totalling 1.4% in the euro zone and 1.6% in the EU. Over one year this rate has declined by one percent in both areas. Inflation was negative in Greece (-0.3%), and Latvia (-0.2%) and it was over 3% in Romania, Estonia and in the Netherlands.

Eurostat indicated on 14th June 2013 that the annual employment rate had declined by 0.5% in the euro zone and by 0.2% in the EU in the first quarter of 2013 in the previous quarter. Over one year the decline was respectively 1% and 0.4%. The Baltic countries are those where employment has grown the most whilst it has declined the most in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Italy.

On 13th June the OECD published its "International Migration Outlook 2013". The report notably stresses that after three consecutive years of contraction during a period of crisis migratory flows are once again pointing towards OECD countries, mainly because of the trends seen in the EU. Migration within the Union has increased by 15% after having fallen by 40% during the crisis. The OECD explains however the employment outlook has grown darker for immigrants with one in two immigrants being out of work in Europe and looking for a job for more than 12 months. According to the report an increase in employment rates of immigrants would have significant economic effect especially in countries where immigrant populations are high and have been established for a long time, as in France for example.

Madrid is hosting the International Photography and Visual Arts Festival "PhotoEspana 2013" until 28th July 2013. Nearly 70 exhibitions are being organised in the town focusing on the theme of "The body. Eros and Politics". An "off festival" and an "OpenPhoto" section are also presented alongside the official section.

French artist Loris Gréaud, known for his superproductions, both experimental and spectacular, is presenting his new project, mysteriously called "[I]" in Paris. The artist will be showing under the pyramid of the Louvre and in the forum of the Pompidou Centre from 19th June to 15th July 2013, which will mark the first time these two major Parisian museums have worked together. Both presentations, which take the shape of monumental sculptures, are complementary.

The Scala of Milan is putting on two full shows of "The Nibelungen Ring" from 17th to 29th June each performed "in a week, as Richard Wagner would have wanted it" and conducted by Daniel Barenboïm. This is a logistic challenge that the famous Italian theatre had not undertaken since 1938. This year, which is the celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of the German composer, the Scala is showing four operas comprising the Ring: its prologue, "Rheingold" followed by three days "The Walküre", "Siegfried" and the Götterdämmerung."

The opera "Dido and Aeneas" by Henry Purcell opened on 13th June 2013 the summer opera season of Rome, which is taking place until 10th August at the splendid venue of the Caracalla Baths. The grand stage at Caracalla, which offers 3,500 seats in the Roman ruins, will be hosting classics such as "La Cavalleria Rusticana" by Mascagni or "La Tosca" by Puccini. Dance will have a particular place in the summer programme with a tribute to choreographer Roland Petit and two evenings when Robert Bolle, the lead dancer of the Scala in Milan will perform with the American Ballet Theatre. A concert with Ennio Morricone - who will be conducting - is also on the programme.

Until 8th September 2013 the Beyeler Foundation is presenting a major retrospective devoted to the artist Max Ernst. Using 160 paintings, collages, drawings, sculptures and illustrated books all of his phases of creation will be presented to the public. The artist, who was born in Germany in 1891, lived in the USA in exile as of 1941 and adopted the French nationality in 1958. He was one of the major artists in the Dada and Surrealist movements.