The 28 heads of State and government of the European Union met in Brussels on 12th February and discussed the negotiations in Minsk and the ceasefire in Ukraine. This Council was programmed after the terrorist attacks in Paris and was due to address the fight to counter terrorism. The Member States' representatives stood firm and determined to "counter the enemies of their values" which are solidarity, the freedom of expression, democracy, tolerance and human dignity. They also defined the details that are designed to guide counter terrorism work; citizen security (rapid adoption of a directive on PNR (passenger name records), the enhancement of the Schengen borders, operational cooperation and information exchange between police and judicial authorities in Europe), protection of values and prevention of radicalisation (communication promoting tolerance and countering terrorist ideologies, the fight to counter radicalisation in prison) and international cooperation (fight to counter crises and conflict in the Middle East, dialogue with third countries).

On the occasion of a visit in Lisbon on 9th February Spain Interior Affairs Minister Jorge Fernandez met his Portuguese counterpart, Diaz Anabela Miranda Rodrigues. During the meeting the two ministers committed to strengthening the exchange of strategic information regarding jihadism and the trend towards violent radicalisation in both countries. They also said they wanted to maintain close communication and coordination on internal issues within the European Union. The Spanish Interior Minister then informed his Portuguese counterpart of the different measures that have been introduced by Mariano Rajoy's government to counter terrorism notably identifying the "national strategic plan to counter violent radicalisation" adopted by the Spanish Council of Ministers on 20th January.

The Italian Council of Ministers approved the anti-terrorism bill on 10th February. The anti-mafia and anti-terrorism Prosecutor will coordinate operations nationwide. The bill places emphasis on updating prevention measures. Now fighting abroad is a crime (previously only recruitment was deemed as such). However those who fight against Daesh are not affected. From a penal point of view, a sentence of between three to six years will be applicable to anyone who joins terrorist movements and to those who support foreign combatants. The sentence will be from five to ten years for "lone wolves". There will be greater control of the web and it will be possible to suppress sites that glorify terrorism and call for jihad.

Meeting in Istanbul the Finance Ministers and Central Bank executives from the G20 countries - which form 85% of the world's wealth - noted on 10th February an "unequal" improvement in the world's growth prospects and stressed the need to maintain accommodating monetary policies in several economies, notably those threatened by "persistent stagnation". In their final press conference the G20 members renewed the commitments they made in Brisbane at the end of 2014 in support of stronger growth, saying that they wanted to continue the work started in terms of financial regulation and the fight to counter fiscal optimisation.

Moody's ratings agency downgraded five Greek banks on 9th February: Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank e Attica Bank. All of these establishments remain under observation and could be downgraded further.

A Eurostat study published on 13th February estimates that the GDP is due to have grown by 0.3% in the euro zone and by 0.4% in the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2014 in comparison with the previous quarter. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2013 the GDP is estimated to have increased by 0.9% in the euro zone and by 1.3% in the EU. Over all of 2014 the GDP in the euro zone increased by 0.9%, against 1.4% in the EU. The sharpest increases in national GDPs were seen in Estonia (+1.1%), Hungary (+0.9%), Spain (+0.7%) and Germany (+0.7%)

On 13th February the European Commission approved 13 additional rural development programmes under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural development (EAFRD). Support to rural development, the second pillar of the common agricultural policy (CAP), aims to improve the competitiveness of the EU's agricultural sector, protect the countryside and the climate and strengthen the economic and social structure of rural communities covering the period 2014-2020. These 18 programmes will be financed by the EU budget to a total of 14.3 billion €. They will also benefit from national or regional government financing and also private funds. After the approval of 9 programmes in December 2014, those launched on 13th February bring the value of the rural development programmes approved by the 27 (out of a total of 118) to over 35 billion €.

On 11th February the European Parliament approved new rules to share cross-border data on road traffic offences. The new legislation will enable the sanction of drivers who commit offences in any EU country even if they are not citizens of the countries in question. MEPs want to ensure "equal treatment of drivers" and "improve road safety". The new rules for the exchange of cross-border national registration information in the case of most road traffic offences (alcohol and drugs, speeding etc ...). The agreement approved by Parliament now has to be formally adopted by the Council. These new rules will be extended to the UK, Ireland and Denmark within the next two years which did not apply the previous European legislation. Indeed the changes approved by the Parliament lay a new legal base (transport safety) for the exchange of data as required by the Court of Justice on 6th May 2014, which deemed the previous legal base inappropriate (police cooperation).

On 12th February the European Parliament approved the creation of a special parliamentary committee which will look into "tax rulings and other similar measures" implemented by the EU's 28 Member States. The introduction of a special committee on the initiative of the leaders of the political groups on 5th February follows a series of inquiries by the Commission on tax rulings of multinational companies based in Luxembourg, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands. The committee comprising 45 members, with an initial mandate of six months, will be chaired by Alain Lamassoure (EPP, FR). It will look into the tax ruling practices implemented since January 1st 1991, but also at the way the European Commission deals with State aid. The special committee will also be responsible for defining the negative impact of "aggressive fiscal optimisation" on government finances and will put forward a series of measures to remedy them. Its establishment was approved 612 votes in support, 19 against and 23 abstentions.

Negotiations between the euro zone and Athens failed on 16th February in Brussels and Greece's creditors have given it a week to accept an extension of its present assistance programme. It is "quite clear that the next step must come from the Greek authorities (..) and in view of the calendar we can use this week, but that is about all," declared Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem during a press conference after the abrupt interruption that was brought to the negotiations, when Greece refused to accept the extension of the programme. He spoke of a possible exceptional meeting of the 19 Finance ministers of the euro zone on 20th February. Mr. Dijsselboem said that an "extension" of the present programme that comes to an end at the end of February would "help the Greeks in terms of flexibility" that is provided for in the plan.

On 16th February the European Union confirmed its targeted sanctions against separatist and Russian personalities for their involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and published a list of 9 entities and 19 personalities targeted by an assets freeze and a ban on travelling in the EU. On this new black list of people and entities features two Russian Ministers - Arkady Bakhin and Anatoly Antonov, respectively Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Defence Minister because they are "supporting the deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine," according the grounds published in the EU's Official Journal. The EU believes that "the Russian government's policy" as it continue to implement its military plan is "a threat to the territorial integrity, the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine." Moscow has constantly denied having sent troops to fight alongside the separatist rebels in this conflict that has now led to the death of 5,500 people in just 10 months.

After an extremely long political stalemate in Kosovo, dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina started again on 9th February in Brussels. In spite of difficult negotiations, admitted by both sides, an agreement was found on a judicial system by the Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, Aleksandar Vučić and Isa Mustafa. Federica Mogherini, the EU's head of diplomacy welcomed the good will showed by both parties in continuing dialogue and settling other pending issues. The EU welcomes this new step towards normalising relations.

On his first official visit to Europe the Romanian President Klaus Yohannis travelled to Paris on 10th February where he met his French counterpart François Hollande. During lunch they discussed Romania's entry into Schengen, the situation in Moldova, Ukraine as well as the issue of the Roma who have come to France. The French President said he was "certain" that the Romanian President's visit would lead to the development of relations between France and Romania. "On a cultural level we are planning many exchanges and projects." In 2018 modern Romania will be celebrating its centenary and France will be taking part in the celebration of this event," he announced.

The IMF and European Commission teams travelled to Bucharest on 27th January and stayed until 10th February 2015 pursuing discussion on the agreements between the IMF, the Commission and Romania. These agreements notably involve the European Commission's assistance to the Romanian balance of payments, which completes the IMF and World Bank's aid as part of the country's macro-economic programme. Although the teams agreed on a certain number of key policies that aim to achieve the European Commission's goals for Romania, some issues are still pending and will be discussed over the next few weeks.

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council invited Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to attend the first part of the European Council on 12th February in Brussels. The Ukrainian president thanked the European leaders for their unity in their support to Ukraine. He also warned the Europeans that the separatist rebels are continuing their offensive in spite of the signature of the agreement with the ceasefire due to take effect on 15th February. Mr Poroshenko asked the Europeans to step up pressure and sanctions on Russia if the offensives continue after this date. The Ukrainian President also met British Prime Minister David Cameron, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. This provided an opportunity to discuss a more advanced partnership notably with the lifting of visas for Ukrainians in Europe and greater macro-economic aid.

The ceasefire decided in Minsk on 12th February officially entered into force on 15th February. The truce was being respected - more or less - according to international observers, except in the town of Debaltseve. This town has been the focus of intense fighting for many weeks. At the time of the signature of the Minsk agreement the separatist rebels had encircled the town and they were continuing their offensive in spite of the ceasefire. This strategic town at the heart of the buffer zone is said to have been bombarded about ten times since the entry into force of the ceasefire said Anatoly Stelmach, the Ukrainian army's spokesperson. Moreover the rebels have barred OSCE representatives entering the town.

The G7, which is still concerned by the situation in the East of Ukraine, whilst the ceasefire entered into force on 15th January said it was ready to take further sanctions if the peace agreement drawn up on 12th February in Minsk was not respected. The G7 "that all sides respect the measures contained with the Minsk agreement to the letter." The G7 heads of State and government also provided their support to the agreement of principle that was found between the IMF and the Ukrainian government on 12th February regarding a programme of economic reforms that will be supported by an extended IMF credit mechanism.

Switzerland is to generalise quantitative limits on foreigners staying over four months, indicated the government on 11th February after a weekly meeting during which it adopted a negotiation mandate with Brussels regarding the free-movement agreement. Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Helvetic Confederation says that Switzerland wants to do everything it can to resolve the issue: it wants to respect the will of the people that decided on 9th February 2014 to limit massive immigration by introducing quotas and obtain new agreement with Brussels which for the time being has rejected the idea. A draft bill was put forward to integrate the text approved in 2014 by the electorate. "Quotas will be introduced including for border-residents by 2017 and a work permit will be necessary for any stay over four months."

Eurostat's first estimates published on 16th February regarding trade in Europe notes a 194.8 billion € surplus in the international trade of goods in the euro zone and a 24.2 billion € surplus for the European Union. Lying at 24.3 billion euro in December 2014 the euro zone's international goods trade with the rest of the world has almost doubled in comparison with December 2013 (13.6 billion €).

The 2014 Parlameter Survey, which was undertaken after the European elections in May and the entry into office of the European Commission presided over by Jean-Claude Juncker, was published on 13th February by the European Parliament. Of the 27,801 European citizens interviewed 63% think that the consideration of the European election results in the election of the President of the Commission represents democratic progress, whilst 18% do not agree with this statement and 19% do not know. 54% however (+4 points) believe that belonging to the EU is positive. However according to this survey knowledge of the European institutions, notably of the Parliament, remains limited since 67% of the participants think for example that they are not well informed about the European Parliament's work.

On 10th February the European Defence Agency (EDA) published its annual report on its activities in 2014. The document presents the Agency's achievements over the past year and highlights the progress made in terms of "European Defence" in key programmes and projects. The report points to the achievement of the priorities set by the EU's heads of State and government in terms of Defence during the European Council of December 2013, ie the development of capabilities, military cooperation, research and technology as well as in the arms market and industry. According to this report the EDA has also put forward innovative ideas to "encourage and promote cooperation" and has maintained its work in several areas such as training and exercises, standardisation and research and technology." Finally the document also includes a wealth of updated facts and figures for 2014.

On 12th February the Council of Europe published a report on gender equality. The report highlights the impact of the Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 which helps Member States reduce the equality gap and increases their awareness of the importance of "taking gender equality on board in their work and activities". In 2014 the Convention on the Prevention and Fight to Counter Violence against Women and Domestic Violence entered into force and is deemed to be the absolute standard by UN Women and won the "Vision Award" 2014. There are still many challenges to overcome however such as the frequent use of gender stereotypes and sexist behaviour that prevents women from moving forward, likewise the high levels of violence still committed against them. The Council of Europe is calling therefore for greater effort to be made by the States in terms of gender equality.

The 58th World Press Photo competition revealed its winners on 12th February. First prize went to Mads Nissen, a Danish photo-journalist for his photograph taken as part of an article devoted to discrimination against homosexuals in Russia. This competition aims to encourage photo-journalism and to link professionals with the public. For the 2015 competition 97,912 pictures were submitted by 5,692 photo-journalists from 131 countries. The 2015 prize will be presented in Amsterdam in April.

The 65th Berlin Film Festival was awarded on 15th February by the panel. This year the Golden Bear which goes to the best film was given to dissident Iranian film-maker Jafar Pahani for "Taxi" - a film which portrays Iranian society via the journeys of a taxi driver in Teheran. This is an award whose political dimension is strong.

The "Reims Scenes of Europe" festival supported by seven cultural structures in Reims will be taking place until 21st February. As each year different locations in the town are hosting around fifty artistic productions for two weeks of intense theatre, dance, music, and shows for young people. On the occasion of the centenary of the First World War the festival reviews the conflicts that traumatised Europe and brought "about the infinite desire for peace born of the ruins," another name for European integration.

The Munch Museum of Oslo, which is home to 1,100 Munch paintings, is hosting an exhibition until 12th April of the works of Bjarne Melgaard, a modern Norwegian artist. The exhibition aims to compare the two artist's works, which address similar themes, from ideology to social critique. Their respective and personal ways of addressing themes like sexuality, death, solitude and alienation bear witness to two different experiences of modernity. The materials used are different also - since the works of Bjarne Melgaard range from painting to video and photography. By comparing the two artists the exhibition tries to explore the way Munch's projects, like Melgaard's - although they employ different motifs and different techniques - both focus on a joint critique of modern civilisation.