On 26th and 27th November 2013 the 12th congress on European security and defence will be taking place in Berlin focusing this year on "After Afghanistan: new requirements and opportunities for policy, military and industry". The Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, will be speaking on 27th November 2013 on "New Challenges for Europe after Afghanistan-Middle East and Africa". The congress will bring together various personalities from the military and civilian spheres.

On 19th November 2013 the OECD published "Economic Outlook". "The world economy is recovering gradually but there are greater risks," declared the OECD. Hence the report lowers the world growth forecasts. In 2013 growth is due to reach 2.7% instead of the 3.1% announced in May 2013. In 2014 growth is due to recover but the OECD is forecasting 3.6% instead of 4%. In 2015 growth is due to lie at around 3.9%. Lower perspectives in some emerging countries are said to be the cause of the forecast downturn. The OECD fears that the fragility of the major economies will take world growth "off track". Above all political clashes over the USA budget seem to be a major risk.

On 19th November 2013 the European Commission suggested to make the small claims procedure simpler, less costly and more pertinent. The ceiling of demands set at present at 2000 euro will rise to 10,000 euro in order to take on board small claims, which will benefit SMEs. Moreover the Commission suggests widening the definition of the cross-border nature of a case and to cap legal fees so that they do not rise beyond the total of the claim. Finally the proposal also plans to reduce red tape and transport fees since it will be possible to make requests on-line.

MEPs adopted the multiannual financial framework on 19th November 2014-2020. The budget plans for 908 billion euro in credit payments and 960 billion in commitment payments, ie 3.7% and 3.5% less than for the 2007-2013 budget respectively. This vote closes the three year debate between the European Commission, MEPs and the Member States. On 20th November 2013 MEPs adopted, 494 votes in support, 153 against and 13 abstentions, the EU 2014 budget. They succeeded in obtaining 500 million euro in additional credit payments in comparison with the proposal made by the Council of 135.5 billion and granted 142.6 billion euro in commitment payments.

On 19th November 2013 on the occasion of the 21st summit between the EU and Japan, European and Japanese leaders supported the progress made in the negotiations over an economic partnership agreement and a free-trade agreement. They highlighted the importance of science and technology for growth and competitiveness. Moreover they committed to cooperating more closely in negotiations within the WTO, over issues related to climate change and liberalisation of the energy market. They expressed concern about the situation in North Korea, Iran, Syria and Somalia.

Iran and the major powers (US, China, Russia, UK, France and Germany) came to a first historic agreement on 24th November 2013 to contain the Iranian nuclear programme, whilst highlighting that this was simply a "first stage". After five days of bitter discussion the six countries and Iran came to an agreement in which the Islamic republic accepted to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for a relaxation in economic sanctions, thereby opening a new period of talks over the next six months. This agreement establishes a wider range of constraints and checks on the Iranian nuclear programme even though there is a share of ambiguity which allows for differing interpretations.

On 18th November 2013 German MPs debated American spying and the future of the Eastern Partnership during an extraordinary session in the Bundestag, the lower chamber of the German Parliament. German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked for a full explanation of the spying issues. In view of the summit in Vilnius on 28th and 29th November next the German Chancellor announced that she preferred to support countries of Eastern Europe in the face of Russian pressure. She warned Russia against any attempt to form a front against the EU.

On 25th November 2013 the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of the Greek Cypriot community, Nicos Anastasiades met the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis Eroglu. In a press conference President Anastasiades explained that he had organised this meeting with the aim of ensuring the signature of a joint declaration that would open the path to a settlement of the Cypriot issue. Although he welcomed the good atmosphere that reigned in the meeting he stressed however that there was still a great deal of work to do before the signature could be made.

On 22nd November 2013 German Chancellor Angela Merkel encouraged Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to continue painful reforms which she says are beginning to "bring about the first fruits of success". She welcomed the "primary surplus of the Greek budget - ie without servicing the debt - achieved this year, and also the implementation of "deeper" structural reform. She lauded the work undertaken by the Greek population and the "difficult decisions" taken by Athens. Antonis Samaras said he was pleased with what had been achieved. "Do you remember where we were fifteen months ago?" He said that his country would adhere to its commitments. The Greek draft budget 2014 plans for a return to growth next year and a surplus in public accounts after years of recession.

On 20th November 2013 the European Commission deemed that the Société Nationale Corse Méditerranée (SNCM) had benefited from an economic advantage which was incompatible with the EU's rules on State aid. The Commission asked the SNCM to pay France back to a total of 220 million euro. The Commission later doubled the fine bringing the total to be paid back to 440 million euro. At the same time the Commission turned to the European Court of Justice for the non-recovery by France of unlawful subsidies granted to the SNCM regarding the Marseilles-Corsica ferry-link during the tourist season for its provision of an "additional" service whilst this already existed on the private market.

The 31st Franco-Italian Summit took place in Rome on 20th November 2013. After a joint press conference the Italian head of government Enrico Letta and French President François Hollande decided to work together for "a Europe of growth". They want to "continue and complete banking union" and "provide the euro zone with financial capabilities". In view of the European Council on 19th and 20th December they advocated the adoption of the "bank resolution mechanism and the possibility of direct recapitalisation of banks via the European Stability Mechanism." Finally Paris and Rome recalled that they wanted to make the Turin-Lyon link a priority. On this issue the Foundation published a study entitled "TransEuropean Network Policy and European Growth Investments: the Lyon-Turin link - it's happening now!"

From 26th November to 9th December 2013 the Christian-Social Party of Luxembourg (CSV), together with the Werner family and the Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l'Europe (CVCE) are organising a series of events in homage to Pierre Werner. "This eminent Luxembourg politician" who would have been 100 on 29th December 2013 marked his country's political, economic, social and cultural life. He also played a major role in European integration (notably regarding Economic and Monetary Union). On 27th and 28th November 2013 a seminar will look into Pierre Werner's vision of Europe.

On 20th November 2013 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a government reshuffle. "We need new energy and acceleration," he declared. Hence Elżbieta Bieńkowska has become Deputy Prime Minister and will also remain Infrastructure and Development Minister. Jan Rostowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister for the last six years has been replaced by Mateusz Szczurek. Environment Minister Marcin Korolec has left his seat to Maciej Grabowski. Andrzej Biernat has become Sports Minister, Grazyna Joanna Kluzik-Rostowska, Education Minister, Lena Kolarska-Bobinska Science and Higher Education Minister and Rafal Trzaskowski, Administration and Digitization Minister. The new ministers will enter office on 27th November.

On 21st November the President of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman officially asked Bohuslav Sobotka, leader of the Social Democratic Party (CSSD), which came out ahead in the general elections on 25th and 26th October last, to form a government. Tripartite negotiations between the Social Democratic Party, ANO (Discontented Citizens' Action) and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) to form a coalition government are due to start next week. If these discussions, the focus of which will be taxes and the return of Church property, progress well, the government might be formed before the end of the year.

The Slovenian Economy Minister Stanko Stepisnik announced on 20th November 2013 that he was resigning after revelations in the media suggesting that his ministry had granted State subsidies to a company which partly owns. "I am resigning because of these accusations and the trouble they have caused, I shall return to Parliament as an MP," declared Mr Stepisnik, member of the main coalition party in power, Slovenia Positive.

On 20th November 2013 the Georgian Parliament approved the appointment of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Aged 31 he was chosen on 2nd November 2013 by Bidzina Ivanishvili as his successor. The latter said after the presidential election that he intended to quit his post on 27th November next. Parliament approved the new government 93 votes in support, 19 against. The new president elected on 27th October 2013, Giorgi Margvelashvili, was sworn in on 17th November for a five year mandate. Interior Minister and a graduate of the Sorbonne where he studied international relations Irakli Garibashvili is the youngest Prime Minister in Georgia's history.

On 21st November the Ukrainian Parliament rejected the laws that would enable former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is suffering from slipped discs, from leaving the country to receive healthcare abroad. The texts were approved by less than 200 MPs, whilst a majority of 226 votes was required to approve them. On the same day the Ukrainian government decided to suspend negotiations with the EU in view of the signature of an Association Agreement. The two European Parliament representatives Pat Cox and Aleksander Kwasniewski said they were disappointed at Ukraine's unilateral decision to postpone the signature of an Association Agreement with the EU which was planned during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on 28th and 29th November next. They also highlighted that the decision taken by the Ukrainian authorities might complicate the resumption of talks in the future. On 22nd November Yulia Tymoshenko called for people to demonstrate against the relinquishment of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. On 25th November Herman van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso denounced the Russian position. Has Ukraine, under the influence of Russia taken the right decision?

On 22nd November 2013 the European Space Agency launched three "Swarm" satellites into orbit. The satellites were lofted in Russia with a "Rockot" launcher. For four years they will examine the earth's magnetic field, the depths of our planet's core and the confines of its upper atmosphere. They will undertake precise measurements that will enable the assessment of the present weakening of the earth's magnetic field in a bid to understand how this phenomenon is contributing to climate change.

Organised by the Council of Europe, the second World Forum for Democracy (until 29th November 2013) will focus on the role played by the internet in democratic practice - "Re-wiring Democracy: connecting institutions and citizens in the digital age". Contributing to debate a study by the Council of Europe offers new ideas about digital democracy and advocates on-line creativeness to put a halt to declining political participation. Governments and parliaments are invited to grant greater attention to internet initiatives and avoid reproducing on-line outmoded tools like consultations and public assemblies.

From 11th to 23rd November 2013 the 11th conference on climate change took place in Warsaw. At the end of negotiations countries came to an agreement which "invites all sides to launch or step up preparations on the contributions they intend to make" and "to communicate them ahead" of the next conference in Paris in 2015. The developed countries have been asked to "continue mobilising public money at higher levels" from the emergency aid levels decided for 2010-2012 ie 10 billion $/year. A major decision concerning the reduction of greenhouse gases would make it possible to limit global warming to 2°C and the fight against deforestation. The REDD+ mechanism (Reduction of emissions due to deforestation and the degradation of forests) adopted in Cancun in 2010 was completed.

On 20th November 2013 Eurostat indicated that on January 1st 2013 the EU's demography was estimated at 505.7 million people whilst it only totalled 504.6 million a year earlier. In 2012 the population grew by 1.1 million ie an annual growth rate of +2.2 per 1000 inhabitants. The population experienced natural growth of 0.2 million (+0.4%) and a migratory balance of 0.9 million (+1.7%). Moreover 5.2 million babies were born in the Union in 2012. The countries with the highest birth rates are Ireland (15.7%), the UK (12.8%), France (12.6%), Sweden (11.9%) and Cyprus (11.8%). However the lowest rates were observed in Germany (8.4%), Portugal (8.5%), Greece and Hungary (9.1%), Italy (9%).

On 20th November 2013 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published its annual report on transition, entitled "Transition Report 2013". In this report the EBRD notes that reform in Central and Eastern Europe has been reduced to zero since the start of the world economic crisis thereby preventing economic investment and growth. The report establishes a correlation between the lack of economic and political results and the halt of economic progress. But it is still optimistic and shows that the countries studied have the means to prevent this vicious circle thanks to a climate that favours reform (international integration, improved domestic governance etc ...). The countries of Central Europe and the Baltic are succeeding however says the report.

The Royal Palace of Milan is running an exhibition until 9th March devoted to pop art originator Andy Warhol. The exhibition organised by an artist friend Peter Brant brings together more than 150 works of art - paintings, photos, sculptures - which are part of the Brant Foundation collection. The exhibition presents the development of Andy Warhol's artistic output from his beginnings until his death.