Jean-Claude Juncker was appointed on 27th June to preside over the European Commission. The European Parliament is about to re-elect Martin Schulz on 1st July as its president. Where are the women in this organisation? At this pace the EU will find itself in the same position as in 2009 looking desperately for a woman so that not all of the post are occupied by men. Pascale Joannin, the Foundation's General Manager proposed as early as March that since the European Commission now comprised an even number it would be good if 14 women Commissioners were appointed out of the 28 and suggested that of the 4 main posts to renew in 2014 (president of the Parliament, Commission, European Council and High Representative) two should be given to women. It does not appear however that the European leaders are going down this path. Several MEPs have just signed an article to demand that the States all put forward one man and one woman for the post of Commissioner. It is urgent to act before 16th July when the next European Council takes place.

The Dutch national statistics office published a new estimate on 27th June 2014 that revises the deficit and government debt levels downwards for 2013 in comparison with estimates published in March 2014. The government deficit is estimated at 2.3% of the GDP (in comparison with an estimate of 2.5% in March) and the debt is estimated at 68.6% of the GDP (in comparison with 73.5% in March 2014). According to the latter figures the Netherlands are therefore closer to fulfilling European criteria of a government deficit below 3% of the GDP and debt below 60% of the GDP.

The German and Italian Finance Ministers, Wolfgang Schäuble and Pier Carlo Padoan, signed a column in the Wall Street Journal on 26th June 2014 defending a reform programme for Europe in the area of trade and growth. They stressed that in their countries the parties in government were approved during the European elections which shows that a pro-European programme can bring results during an election. The two ministers indicate that in spite of an improvement in Europe's economy the crisis is not over and that priority lies in privileging policies that will restore growth. In this sense they call on European leaders to make structural reform and for greater European integration - so that the Union has a strong economic strategy and that European citizens are confident again.

In June the economic sentiment indicator (ESI) declined in the euro zone (decrease of 0.6 points reaching 102) whilst remaining stable in the EU. The business climate indicator (BCI) in the euro zone declined by 0.14 points to reach +0.22.

The Cypriot economy, shaken by the financial crisis, which obliged it to turn to a 10 billion euro rescue plan in March 2013 and to adopt draconian terms, is due to suffer slighter recession in 2014 than previously forecast. According to the governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, Chrystalla Geordhadji, who held her first press conference on 25th June 2014 since her appointment in April, the banking sector, which collapsed during the crisis, is starting to recover. In all, the economy contracted by 4.1% in the first quarter of 2014, a recession below the 5% recorded in the last quarter of 2013 she explained.

Portugal's government deficit dropped to 6% of the GDP in the first quarter of 2014 against 10% at the same time last year announced the Portuguese statistics institute (INE) on 27th June 2014. The imbalance of government accounts is estimated at 2.4 billion euro over the first three months of the year whilst it totalled 3.9 billion in the first quarter of 2013. The reduction of the deficit in the first quarter can be explained by a 5.4% reduction in government spending and a rise of revenues of 3.2% said the INE in a press release.

The European Commission adopted a proposal on 26th June 2014 which aims to establish a new programme (ISA2) to help Member States modernise their civil services and provide interoperable digital services both nationally and on a European level. This interaction is vital in that many businesses and private parties settle in a European country other than their own. Therefore they often have to make electronic contact with the Member States' civil services. This new programme aims to facilitate this cooperation.

On 24th June 2014 the European Commission announced that the maximum roaming tariffs on mobile calls will be reduced in Europe as of July 1st with notably a reduction of more than 50% of tariffs applicable to the downloading of data. Roaming costs are a surcharge applied by service suppliers for the use of a mobile, smartphone or tablet abroad. As of July 1st, VAT apart, the downloading of data or internet navigation will not exceed 20 cts per megaoctet ie a reduction of 55.5% in comparison with the ceilings in force at the moment which were reduced a year ago.

The President of the European Commission made an official visit to Serbia on 29th June where he was welcomed by Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and the head of the EU's delegation in Serbia Michael Davenport. During this official visit the President of the European Commission met Serb President Tomislav Nikolic and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. During the joint press conference José Manuel Barroso stressed that the EU supported Serbia's "path to Europe". Regarding dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Mr Barroso believes that both sides have shown courage and that it is now time to complete what was agreed in the Brussels Agreement. "In spite of the economic crisis the EU's door will be open to all of the countries in the Western Balkans," added Mr Barroso, who will visit Tirana, which has now officially become a candidate country for EU membership.

The political groups had until 24th June to form officially. After several weeks of suspense about whether a far right group would emerge or not, this will finally not be the case and there will barely be any change - there were and still are 7 groups - in order of size, EPP (221 members), S&D (191), ECR (70), ALDE (67), GUE/NGL (52), Greens/EFA (50) and the EFD (48). The other MEPs will sit amongst the non-attached. The Parliament will hold its first session on July 1st to elect the president, its vice-presidents and questeurs.

On 25th June 2014 the Council of the European Union agreed on a draft regulation that aims to increase the pool of capital available for long-term investment in the EU economy via a new kind of fund. These European long-term investment funds (ELTIFs), by virtue of the asset classes that they would be allowed to invest in, are expected to provide investors with long-term, stable returns. On this issue the Foundation published a text by Philip Maystadt on 31st March last: "Investing in and financing the European economy."

On 24th June 2014 the Council of the European Union adopted the EU's maritime security strategy (EUMSS) which provides a global framework that contributes to a stable, safe, maritime area. The aim is to protect the Union's interests in terms of maritime security in view of a series of risks and threats in the world maritime context, like cross-border, organised crime, threats that weigh on the freedom of navigation, the proliferation of arms of mass destruction and environmental risks. The strategy covers both internal and external aspects of the Union's maritime security as part of an inter-sectorial, global approach.

German President Joachim Gauck travelled to Portugal on a State visit from 23rd to 25th June 2014. During this visit he met his Portuguese counterpart President Anibal Cavaco Silva as well as Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He visited the headquarters of the main Portuguese government institutions and some of the country's key historic monuments - he also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the German/Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. On 24th June the German President was guest at a State dinner at the presidential palace during which he highlighted the values shared by both countries - the quest for peace, freedom and democracy. Joachim Gauck lauded Portugal's courage in implementing the reform programme that aims to bring the country out of the crisis and recalled Germany's support to Portugal in this direction.

On 27th June German MPs approved by a wide majority a draft bill reforming the support mechanisms to renewable energies which should put the energy transition in Germany back on course and bring the rise in electricity prices to an end. This law is, together with the introduction of the minimum wage, one of the leading projects in Angela Merkel's third government. Whilst the previous mechanism - which did produce results - 27% of the electricity used in the country in the first quarter came from renewable energies - cost nearly 20 billion euro per year, the new bill reduces significantly the subsidies granted to clean energies and provides that gradually the electricity produced by wind and sun that is due to represent 80% of total consumption by 2050, will be subject to market mechanisms.

On 24th June 2014 Alexander Stubb became the new Finnish Prime Minister. The Finnish Parliament gave the greenlight to his appointment as the country's new Prime Minister, 98 votes in support, 76 against. President Sauli Niinistö formally appointed him to office on the same day with a government comprising 17 Ministers, 8 of whom are women.

From the time the new European Commission chaired by Jean-Claude Juncker enters into office and the departure of Viviane Reding from her post as European Commissioner - now elected MEP - the LSAP has decided "to put forward Ms Martine Reicherts" indicated the 27th June the Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider in an official press release. It is now up to the government Council that will meet on July 1st to approve the socialist proposition. Martine Reicherts is the former deputy head of cabinet of the President European Commission, Jacques Santer and is the present General Manager of the EU's Official Publications Office in Luxembourg.

On 29th June 2014 during a two-hour telephone conversation, the second in four days François Hollande and Angela Merkel again called on Vladimir Putin to act to help his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko to end the situation in the separatist east. Threatened with economic sanctions by both the EU and the USA, unless there are some real results Mr Putin advocated for an extension to the ceasefire. For days the Western powers have been asking the Russian President to put all of his weight behind a rapid disarmament of the pro-Russian separatist rebels and for "infiltration" of arms and fighters to stop so that peace talks between the pro-European authorities in Kiev and the rebels can start. Mr Hollande and Ms Merkel "recalled clearly the expectations expressed by the Council on 27th June last and said they hoped that results would be achieved by 30th June." However on 1st July Petro Poroshenko declared the end of the ceasefire announcing that the military offensive would resume in the east.

The European Court of Human Rights and the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency published an updated version of their "European Legal Guide for Asylum, Borders and Immigration" on 27th June. This is the first complete guide to European law on this issue which takes on board the ECHR's jurisprudence and also that of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It also includes the EU's directives and regulations that are applicable in this area, as well as references to the European Social Charter and other instruments of the Council of Europe.

The Festival of Avignon will take place from 4th to 27th July 2014. This year 1083 companies will be playing in 1307 shows. All styles are represented: theatre, music, dance, puppets, poetry. For the first time the "in" Festivals (official) and "off" (unofficial) will share almost the same agenda which is in fact a small revolution. "We have matched the "in" agenda as a sign of good will," summarised Greg Germain, the chair of the Avignon Festival and Compagnies (AF&C) association which is coordinating the incredible offer of shows put on by the "off".

The 92nd opera festival at the Verona Arena is running until 7th September. As far as the 2014 programme is concerned 6 operas and three special events will be presented during the festival. The Verona arenas have been used since the 19th century for lyrical shows and are a vast area of graduated stands, which lend the productions their beauty. More than 15,000 spectators attend the shows every evening during the season.

The Montreux Jazz Festival will be taking place from 4th to 19th July. From the Rock Cave, to Music in the Park, the Studio, the "aftershows" and workshops, hundreds of free events will also be taking place alongside the concerts. The Rock Cave will put on two concerts per evening with the finest local musicians (The Rambling Wheels, Kruger, Camion, Forks, The Chikitas, Cheyenne) and also some international names The Lords of Altamont, Drenge, Archie Branson Outfit, Manu Lanvin, etc). At the foot of the Congress Hall, the main stage of Music in the Park is offering as usual non-stop music. Jazz, rock, world .... once the fee paying concerts are over the Montreux Lab Aftershows plan to put on some cutting edge electro music: Ellen Allien, The Hiiters, Etienne de Crécy, Michael Meyer, Koffi & The Gang DJ Pharoah, Gramatik, STWO, and other surprises.

The Copenhagen Jazz Festival will be taking place from 4th to 13th July 2014. On this occasion more than 1200 concerts will be taking place throughout the Danish capital. Major international names have confirmed their presence like Gregory Porter, Concha Buika, The John Scofield Überjam Band, Tinariwen, Christian McBride, Hiromi, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke as well as many others. Information can be found on the event's site.

The International Karlovy-Vary Film Festival - held at the spa town in the Czech Republic - will be taking place from 4th to 12th July 2014. Created in 1946 in Marianské Lazne, this is one of the most prestigious events in Central Europe. It presents more than 200 films from around the world, the best of which will be awarded the prestigious prize, the Crystal Globe on the final night.