As the European elections draw closer the Robert Schuman Foundation's Chairman Jean-Dominique Giuliani has published a book entitled "Pourquoi et comment l'Europe restera le coeur du monde - Petit traité d'optimisme". (Why and how Europe will remain the centre of the world - a small treaty of optimism). This book published by Editions Lignes de Repères is available in all good bookshops and on the Robert Schuman Foundation site in paper format and in digital book form for e-readers and tablets. In an interview on France Inter, Jean-Dominique Giuliani explained that Europe is still the "centre of a lively world in which it is envied and copied everywhere.".

The Robert Schuman Foundation and Notre Europe-Institut Jacques Delors have published a study co-signed by Yves Bertoncini and Thierry Chopin on the issues at stake in the European election. The first part recalls the range of powers enjoyed by the European Parliament and the role played the political groups. The second part presents the "geometrically variable majorities" which form in the European Parliament depending on the subjects being voted upon: "consensus majorities", "grand coalition majorities" and "confrontational majorities". Thanks to data provided by VoteWatch Europe this study shows how French MEP's have voted - depending on their partisan alliance, on the occasion of around twenty emblematic votes during the 2009-2014 legislature. The third part provides information about the effect of the vote on 22nd-25th May next.

The Virtual Centre of Knowledge on Europe is organising a round table on the theme "Is Europe slipping away from its citizens?" on 15th May 2014 at the European Auditor's Court together with Mady Delvaux (LSAP), Charles Goerens (DP), Viviane Reding (CSV) and Claude Turmes (Déi Gréng). It is obligatory to enrol.

To motivate voters the association "Europe without Borders" is broadcasting a clip "Rock the Eurovote" in which several artists commit to Europe. These include actor Guillaume Gallienne, comedian Dany Boon, actor Virginie Efira, singer Féfé and artist Plantu.

On 9th May 2014 Spanish government head Mariano Rajoy issued a warning to voters who might be tempted by a protest vote in the European elections on 25th May. "Some believe that we can vote any which way and play with the vote to punish a political party about something that does not affect their life, that Brussels and Strasbourg are far away, that here we decide nothing. We have to explain that this is not the case," declared Mr Rajoy during his first campaign speech in Saragossa. The People's Party in office in Spain came out ahead in the voting intentions with 20 out of 21 MEPs (33.7%) against 24 at present, ahead of the Socialist Party (PSOE) which is due to win 18 or 19 MEPs (31%) against a present 23 according to a poll by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) published on 8th May. This poll also shows the rise of the left (IU and ICV), which is due to win 5 seats, ie three more than in 2009 and that of the centrist party UPyD (three seats in comparison with one in 2009). The Spanish are still mainly "rather, quite or very much in support" of the EU (58.3%) against 29.9% who feel "rather, quite or very" much against according to a CIS survey. 43.1% of those interviewed believed that entry into the EU on January 1st 1986 has been of "benefit" to Spain against 30.5% who thought the contrary.

A wide majority of Italians say they support the EU (77%) and the euro (69%) just fifteen days before the European Elections said a survey published on 8th May 2014 in the daily "La Stampa". To the question about whether a person supported or opposed the EU 77% of those interviewed said they were in support. 17% were against and 6% had no opinion. Italian law bans the publication of any surveys within the fifteen days preceding the election.

The Civic Platform, PO - led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk - which is resolutely pro-European, is running ahead in the polls as the European elections to be held on 25th May draw closer. With 35% of the voting intentions in the most recent poll published on 10th May in Newsweek the PO is ahead of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski credited with 30%. This party has toned down its traditional eurosceptic discourse during the electoral campaign. Third, the Social Democratic SLD, extremely pro-EU has the support of 13% of the electorate. According to pollster Estymator which undertook the survey none of the small parties or anti-European parties will rise beyond the eligibility mark of 5% in Poland.

1.5 million Kosovars are being called to ballot early on 8th June to elect anew the 120 members of the Kosovo Assembly, the only chamber in Parliament, which was dissolved on 7th May 90 votes in support, 4 against and 3 abstentions. This general election follows Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi's unsuccessful bid to convince MPs of the creation of a national armed force. MPs are elected for four years by a proportional system. 20 seats are reserved for the minorities: 10 for the Serbs, 4 for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, 3 for the Bosniaks, 2 for the Turks and 1 for the Gorani (a Slav speaking Muslim community). 14 political parties are represented in the Kosovo Assembly, 9 of which represent the minorities.

On 6th May 2014 the 28 European Finance Ministers adopted harmonised rules regarding the recovery and resolution of banks after the approval of the European Parliament. They then adopted conclusions on macro-economic imbalances in the Member States, in the light of the opinions given by the Commission. Regarding currency protection, a directive was adopted on the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting. Amongst the measures adopted features a regulation that aims to make the European Solidarity Fund a more responsive, simpler tool to use. Finally the financial transaction tax between 11 Member States will be introduced by January 1st 2016.

The OECD published its spring economic outlook on 6th May 2014 in which it analyses the world's economic situation. The OECD notes that the world's economy is growing stronger in the wake of the economic crisis ongoing since 2008 but that major dangers persist. Hence "urgent action is still necessary to reduce unemployment and to rise to the challenges that have come with the crisis." In terms of growth in the 34 OECD member countries it is due to gather pace to each 2.2% in 2014 and 2.8% in 2015. The OECD indicates that the world's economy will grow by 3.4%, in 2014 and 3.9% in 2015.

Unemployment in Spain declined significantly in April but this is still "absolutely insufficient" deemed the head of government Mariano Rajoy on 6th May recalling the country's dramatic situation with nearly 5 million out of work. Over one month the fourth economy in the euro zone witnessed a 2.33% reduction in the number of unemployed - 111, 565 people less, which means that this was the "best April" since the start of the collection of statistics in 2001 announced the Labour Ministry. Over one year the reduction has been even more remarkable with 304,892 unemployed less on the job market ie a reduction of 6.11%.

The decline in unemployment in Greece, one of the highest rates in the euro zone, continued in February dropping to 26.5% - slightly down over one year and also over one month for the second month running indicated the Greek statistics institute Elstat on 8th May. Over one year unemployment has decreased by 0.2 points indicates Elstat since it lay at 26.7% in February 2013. Over one month the unemployment rate declined by 0.1 points, since it lay at 26.6% in January.

Unemployment declined to 15.1% in the first quarter against 15.3% in the last quarter of 2013. The downward trend has been ongoing for the last year announced the national statistics institute, INE, on 9th May. Over 2014 the Portuguese government and the European Commission are forecasting an unemployment rate of 15.4% against 16.3% in 2013. Unemployment has been declining since the first quarter of 2013 when it reached a record high of 17.5%, a figure that was reviewed slightly downwards by INE after a first estimate of 17.7%.

The European Commission has placed new information sheets on line per country on the internet site DG REGIO. They provide information on the strategies planned by the Member States for the financing period 2014-2020, notably regarding the distribution of funds allocated as part of the cohesion policy and the main investment priorities. In 2014-2020 the UK will manage 13 operational programmes under the EU's cohesion policy. Of these, seven will receive funding from the European Regional Development Fund (one for Northern Ireland, two each for Scotland and Wales, one for Gibraltar and one for England) and six will receive funding from the European Social Fund (one each for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and ibraltar, two for Wales).

On 6th May 2014 the Council adopted a regulation concerning the European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which replaces the existing European Fisheries Fund, following a first reading agreement with the European Parliament. The EMFF's overall objective is to support the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and to help develop the Integrated Maritime Policy of the EU funding for some of the priorities identified.

On 8th May an informal meeting was held in Athens bringing together the Transport Ministers of the 28 EU Member States and of the EEA. President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias attended the meeting and highlighted the importance of improving road safety in order to reduce the number of road deaths to zero. Ministers stressed the need to develop financial instruments and to think about optimizing the use of available resources. Secondly, they looked into whether these resources would be sufficient and how the gaps using these resources should be completed.

The 28 Trade Ministers, who met on 8th May 2014 discussed the issue of liberalising the trade of environmental goods, a WTO initiative. Ministers called for a start of multilateral negotiations in view of removing customs duties on products that help towards sustainable development.

During a Foreign Council on 12th May 2014 in Brussels the 28 Ministers addressed human rights issues, Myanmar, the Arctic and Ukraine. In their conclusions they maintained the importance of the EU's role in the international area and the EU's overall approach. They decided to extend the list of targeted sanctions in the absence of any de-escalation in Ukraine. Thirteen Russian or pro-Russian names were added to the list of the 48 already targeted by visa bans or a freezing of their assets, likewise sanctions were directed towards two businesses who were making profits due to Crimea's annexation to Russia.

On 9th and 10th May 2014, French President François Hollande met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Stralsund. This informal meeting intended to tighten the links between the two leaders. Angela Merkel and François Hollande drafted a five point declaration on Ukraine. In their joint press release they called on all of those involved for restraint. Both leaders called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "send more signs of de-escalation" to enable the smooth organisation of the elections. In François Hollande's opinion the Ukrainian crisis shows that France and Germany need to commit towards drawing closer together in terms of their energy policies. "Energy Europe will undeniably be in the mandate we shall give to the future European Commission," said François Hollande.

Monumenta, which has been an annual venue since 2007, invites a major international artist on each occasion to the Grand Palais. After Anselm Kiefer, Richard Serra, Christian Boltanski, Anish Kapoor and Daniel Buren, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov will be exhibiting under this great glass dome measuring 13,500m2 and 35 meters in height. In this, the 6th year, the two Russian artists are offering the public a journey through a utopian town "The Strange City" until 22nd June 2014.

The Cannes Festival will be taking place from 14th to 25th May under the chairmanship of Jane Campion. 18 films are running in the competition. Screening hours have been published and are now accessible. On the agenda some of the films are creating particularly enthusiasm on the Croisette - both in and outside of the competition - "Grace de Monaco" and "Welcome to NY". "Deux Jours, une nuit" "Saint Laurent", "Adieu au langage", "L'homme que l'on aimait trop" and "Lost River" are also top of the list.

As each year all kinds of museums across Europe will be opening their doors to the public free of charge. Each visitor will be able to wander through museums devoted to the fine arts, popular crafts and traditions, science and technology etc ... Appointment at sundown on 17th May in nearly 3,300 museums everywhere in Europe.

The reconstructed building of the famous "Vijecnica" - the national library of Sarajevo - the architectural gem of the Bosnian capital and also the symbol of the destruction it suffered during the intra-community war of the 1990's, was inaugurated on 9th May, Europe Day. The Mayor of Sarajevo, Ivo Komsic declared that Vijecnica was the symbol of the will to overcome the past and of the hope for a better, different future.