The Franco-German Journalism Prize was awarded in the categories of video and audio production, written work, multimedia and young talent on July 2nd 2014 in Berlin. The Franco-German Media Prize went to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and Helmut Schmidt for their remarkable commitment to French-German and European relations as well as their role as forerunners in the cooperation of both countries and also European integration on which they having left their lasting mark. The PFAJ is awarded by Saarland Radio-TV, Deutschlandradio, ZDF, Saarbücker Zeitung, ARTE, Robert Bosch Stiftung, France Télévisions, Le Républicain Lorrain, Radio France, the Franco-German Youth Office, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik as well as the Robert Schuman Foundation.

On 20th June 2014 a first massive withdrawal of deposits forced the Bulgarian authorities temporarily to close the Corporate Commercial Bank, which is now under assessment regarding the quality of its assets. Over the days that followed other massive withdrawals were also made at the First Investment Bank. In order to reassure depositors and to confirm its commitment to the banking system the Bulgarian authorities decided to guarantee the banking sector's vital liquidities. This regime was communicated to the Commission which approved it. On 30th June the European Commission declared that an aid regime designed to strengthen Bulgarian banks' liquidities was compatible with the EU's rules in terms of State aid. According to Joaquin Almunia, the Commission's Vice President for Competition Policy, the state aid related to the liquidity measures was proportional and in line with the need to guarantee a sufficient level of liquidities in the banking sector given the circumstances.

On July 1st 2014 the "Market Access" Advisory Committee, which brings together the Commission and the Member States launched a consultation on SMEs and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to learn more about the trade barriers faced by European SMEs in their transactions with the United States. The answers, which will remain confidential and anonymous, will help European negotiators to defend their interests. This survey will close on July 14th.

On 1st July 2014, Martin Schulz (S&D, DE) chairman of the Socialists&Democrat group was re-elected President of the European Parliament by 409 votes out of the 612 cast ahead of Sajjad Karim (ECR, UK) 101 votes; Pablo Iglesias (GUE/NGL, ES) 51 votes; Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, AT) 51. 14 Vice-Presidents were also elected : Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT), Mairead McGuinness (EPP, IE), Rainer Wieland (EPP, DE), Ramón Luis Valcarcel Siso (EPP, ES), ldikó Gall-Pelcz (EPP, HU), Adina Ioana Valean (EPP, RO), Sylvie Guillaume (S&D, FR), Corina Cretu (S&D, RO), David Sassoli (S&D, IT), Olli Rehn (ALDE, FI), Alexander Lambsdorff (ALDE, DE), Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, AT), Dimitris Papadimoulis (GUE/NGL, EL) et Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR, PL). Finally the 5 questeurs who manage administrative issues are Elisabeth Morin-Chartier (EPE, FR), Bogusław Liberadzki (S&D, PL), Catherine Bearder (ALDE, UK), Andrey Kovatchev (EPP, BG) and Karol Adam Karski (ECR, PL).

On 2nd July, the head of the Italian government, Matteo Renzi, presented the Italian Presidency's programme (1st July-31st December) to the European Parliament focused on three priorities which are growth and employment, the European Union, an area of ​​democracy, rights and freedom, as well as increasing Europe's positions in the world. He stressed the need for more cooperation and growth. Member States which undertake the six monthly presidency work closely together in groups of three. This system was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The idea is to set the long term objectives and a joint programme defining the themes and major issues to be addressed by the Council over an 18 month period. From 1st July 2014 to 31st December 2015 the Presidency Trio will be formed by Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg.

The European Court of Auditors published a report on 2nd July 2014 on European bank supervision. It deems that the reform of the banking sector introduced by the Commission with the European Banking Authority in 2011 as well as the new regulation and supervisory system comprised one stage in the response to the financial crisis. However shortfalls have been noted in the functioning of the new measures in cross-border supervision of European banks and the assessment of their resilience - these issues have also been noted in the promotion of consumer protection on the products and financial services market. The Court deems that good bank supervision implies the separation of the roles and responsibilities of the EBA, the ECB and the national supervisory authorities, whether these are part of the Single Supervisory Mechanism or not.

On 3rd July 2014, Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), that the bank's interest rates will remain unchanged (at 0.15%). A series of decisions have been taken about longer-term refinancing operations (LTROs). The euro zone's economy has also shown moderate recovery in the second quarter with low inflation, money growth and low rate credit. In the medium to long term, the inflation rate is due to remain below but close to 2%. As far as budgetary policies are concerned consolidation over the last few years has helped to reduce imbalances. Finally the ECB has decided to spread its monetary policy meetings which will take place as of January 2015 every six weeks instead of every four at present. Reports of each meeting will be published as of this date also.

On 2nd July 2014 German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble presented his budgetary forecasts for 2015 to the council of ministers. In his speech Mr Schäuble said he was pleased with the balanced nature of this budget, a first for Germany in half a century. "The federal budget is balanced. We are only spending what we earn. It is a sign of reliability addressed to the population and to businesses in Germany and Europe. We have managed to achieve this balance by resolutely reducing our spending for years. We are investing in Germany's future without turning to credit." The government's goal is to reduce public debt to 70% of the GDP in 2017 against 76% at present, whilst maintaining growth. As of next year the federal state will not incur any further debt.

On 4th July King Philippe of Belgium extended the "information" mission granted to Charles Michel to try and form a government whilst negotiations between parties are slow five weeks after the general elections. MR Chairman, Charles Michel started his mission on 27th June, after Bart de Wever (N-VA) failed to make progress in the wake of his win in Flanders with two thirds of the vote. Charles Michel, who leads the second biggest French speaking party after the Socialist Party "reported to the king on progress aiming to assess the possible combinations in view of forming a government," indicated the Royal Palace in a press release. The king "asked him to continue work" and to report back on 14th July.

Felipe VI undertook his first foreign trip to the Vatican on 30th June. The king and his wife Letizia were hosted by the Pope for the first time. During the meeting Pope Francis and King Felipe VI discussed themes of common interest and stressed the importance of promoting dialogue and joint work between the Church and the Stae for the good of the entire Spanish society. Some international and also regional issues were addressed with particular focus being placed on areas of conflict. They then held a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State.

The Hungarian Parliament, dominated by the FIDESZ led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, increased already controversial taxes on the media on 4th July as it removed a loophole in the text. The amendment cancels a measure that enabled the media to deduct their previous year's losses in revenue that is subject to the super-tax which can amount to 40% of their advertising revenues. The tax was adopted in June and then criticised by the media as a bid to control their sector by the government. In a rare move the media deemed to be Mr Orban's partisans joined in the protest.

On 7th July 2014 the British government announced a growth deal of £12 billion designed for British businesses and local authorities. 39 local plans have been announced so far.

Serb Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met his French counterpart Manuel Valls on 4th July. The two leaders spoke of the donors conference that will take place in Brussels on 16th July - they also discussed European issues, economic relations, regional cooperation and the project to build a metro in Belgrade. During the meeting it was noted that Serbia is undertaking major reform and that its geographical position is helping it to become a regional economic centre. The Serb Prime Minister declared during the joint press conference held after the meeting that Serbia will remain on the path to Europe and also maintain good relations with its neighbourhood.

On 2nd July 2014 Foreign Ministers Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Laurent Fabius, Serguey Lavrov and Pavlo Klimkin met in Berlin in a bid to find a solution in Ukraine where the ceasefire came to an end on July 1st. "We worked on a series of measures that enable a return to a bilateral ceasefire," declared Frank-Walter Steinmeier. OSCE observers will be dispatched to the Russian/Ukrainian border, to the access points of Gukovo and Donetsk. A new contact group, again under the aegis of the OSCE will be set up to prepare a new ceasefire. It is due to meet "before 5th July".

The free-trade agreement between Switzerland and China signed on 6th July 2013 in Beijing entered into force on July 1st 2014. Celebrations were organised in Basel on this occasion. This is the biggest trade agreement that Switzerland has signed since 1972 when it entered into an agreement with the EU.

On 1st July 2014 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter Systems (Nexter), two European land defence systems leaders, declared their intention to work more closely together. They signed a protocol in Paris to this effect. The alliance of the two groups under the name of a joint holding company opens the way for a Franco-German defence technology group with an annual turnover of 2 billion € and an order book of around 6 billion € and a staff of more than 6000.

According to figures published by Eurostat on July 1st 2014, the euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.6% in May 2014, stable compared with April 2014, but down from 12.0% in May 2013. The European Union unemployment rate was 10.3% in May 2014, down from 10.4% in April 2014, and from 10.9% in May 2013. Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.7%), Germany (5.1%) and Malta (5.7%), and the highest in Greece (26.8% in March 2014) and Spain (25.1%).

The Granet Museum is hosting the Henry & Rose Pearlman collection, which was put together between 1943 and 1974 from 12th July to 5th October. It presents fifty works from the Impressionist and post-Impressionist period including priceless water colours by Paul Cézanne. Amongst the paintings and sculptures are notably "Après le Bain" by Edgar Degas, "Les Roulottes" by Vincent van Gogh and six remarkable paintings by Paul Cézanne including the "Montagne Sainte-Victoire" dated 1902. There are also major works by Camille Pissarro, Paul Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Chaïm Soutine, Wilhem Lehmbruck, Jack Lipchitz and Oscar Kokoschka.