Last week the Foundation published a study by its Chairman on the challenge of illegal immigration in the Mediterranean. The news this week sadly reminds us of the urgency of the migratory issue which is challenging the Member States' domestic policy. Protest movements have seized the issue to challenge government action and the European institutions. Simplistic ideas are flourishing, criticising the Schengen Agreements and the inefficacy of national and European policies. Reality is however very much different: Europe is facing a significant challenge that it will only overcome with time. It demands constant effort, courage and imagination and quite certainly the rejection of simplistic sound bites.

The Centre Party (KESK) led by Juha Sipilä came out ahead in the general elections held in Finland on 19th April winning 21.1% of the vote and 49 of the 200 seats in the Eduskunta/Riksdag. The True Finns (PS) a populist party led by Timo Soini took second place with 38 seats and 17.6% of the vote. They were followed by the Conservative Assembly (KOK) led by outgoing Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, who won 18.2% and 37 seats. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) took 4th place with 16.5% and 34 seats. The Greens (VIHR) won 8.5% and 15 seats, the Left Alliance (VAS), 7.1% and 12 seats, the Swedish People's Party (SFP), 4.9%, 9 seats and the Christian Democratic Party (SKL) 3.5% and 5 seats. Turnout was high at 70.1% ie 2.7 points more than in the 2011 election.

Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation will be taking part in an international conference on 24th April "Dialogue and Identity" in Budapest, organised by the National Assembly of Hungary and the Ministry of Justice. He will be speaking on the theme "The realities of a European identity". Anne Levade, a member of the Foundation's Scientific Committee will be speaking on 23rd April on the theme "the role of values, traditions and constitutional principles in the creation of a constitutional identity."

On 14th April 2015 the IMF published its spring economic forecasts for world growth just before its spring session from 17th-19th April. World economic growth is encouraging, since Europe and Japan are notably showing signs of recovery but the outlook for the USA is somewhat mitigated. The IMF is still forecasting 3.5% growth in 2015 for the whole world and 3.8% 2016, with the latter figure slightly improved in comparison with its initial forecasts in January. The IMF revised its euro zone growth figures upwards to 1.5% this year and 1.6% in 2016 thanks to the work undertaken by the ECB and the decrease in oil prices. However it still showed caution about recovery which is still weak.

On 13th April the European Commission launched an on-line consultation on the theme of food security in view of preparing the Universal Exhibition that will take place this year in Milan on the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". This consultation focuses notably on the way that science and innovation can help the European Union ensure safe, nutritious, sufficient and sustainable food globally. It will also enable the preparation of future debates over food safety and quality, how to reduce food loss and waste. Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport recalled the major role that the EU had to play in the fight for sustainable, fair food access across the world.

In a resolution adopted on the occasion of the centenary of the Armenian genocide that led to the death of 1.5 million people, MEPs who met in Brussels on 15th April, invited Armenia and Turkey to resume bilateral diplomatic relations, to open their borders and to facilitate their economic integration. MEPs also adopted a resolution that recognises 2nd August as the day when the Roma holocaust will be commemorated in order to quell hate discourse and discrimination against the Roma of whom 500,000 were exterminated in the Second World War.

From 14th and 16th April 2015 the 28 European Energy and Environment Ministers together with the European Commissioner for Climate and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete met in Riga. The EU is preparing emergency plans to guarantee energy security in all circumstances. They discussed the need to implement a European heating and cooling strategy. They also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation to enable the successful implementation of the Energy Union. They progressed on the goals laid out in the Strategy for Biodiversity in the EU. One of the central goals of this strategy will be to reiterate the close, positive link between biodiversity and economic development notably via the new tool introduced by the Natural Capital Funding Facility (NCFF).

The Foreign Ministers from the G7 countries met on 14th and 15th April in Lübeck, north Germany. They discussed some of the world's geopolitical issues. The French and German ministers notably informed their counterparts of the situation in Ukraine following their Normandy Format meeting on 13th April. The full implementation of the Minsk II Protocol is still a pre-condition for Russia returning to the G8. Regarding the Middle East ministers committed to putting forward political solutions to settle the conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen. The Iranian nuclear issue was also a major theme of discussion with ministers maintaining that they want to end the diplomatic crisis, likewise the trade embargo but that "Iran without nuclear arms" was still the main goal. Finally maritime security was the focus of discussion. The "Lübeck Declaration" is an common agenda for security and the prevention of conflicts.

The governors of the European Central Bank, who met on 15th April, decided to maintain the interest rates on refinancing operations at their historic level of 0.05%. Interest rates on marginal loans and deposits will also remain unchanged, at 0.30% and 0.20% respectively. Mario Draghi, President of the ECB confirmed the inflation goal of 2% or as near as, and he insisted on the fact that quantitative easing operations (of 60 billion € per month) were having the expected effects: reduction in financing costs for the financial markets and the private sector and an increased demand for credit on the part of households. He was also enthusiastic about the virtuous circle that these indicators represent, although slowness in implementing structural reform might impede recovery.

On 13th April a ministerial meeting devoted to the Southern European Neighbourhood Policy took place in Barcelona under the guidance of Ms Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Attending the meeting were Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, the 28 EU Member States, as well as eight partners from the southern shores of the Mediterranean (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia). Ms Mogherini called for greater cooperation for security, the fight to counter terrorism and migratory challenges. Immigration will also be on the agenda of the next Foreign Affairs Council.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Germany from 12th to 14th April. He met German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Economic and trade relations were the focus of discussion. Mr Modi explained that the economies of their two countries were complementary. Engineering and German experience in terms of sustainable development, as well as in industrial innovation offered opportunities for Indian initiatives in the digital economy. The two heads of government said they wanted to strengthen their "strategic partnership" by developing certain areas of cooperation such as industry, renewable energy and science. Moreover they discussed international issues such as the fight to counter terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan. The German Chancellor said she supported India in terms of the negotiation of a free-trade agreement between the EU and India.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov travelled to Paris on 14th April to meet French President François Hollande and Manuel Valls. He took advantage of this occasion to inaugurate the exhibition "The Saga of the Thracian Kings - Archaeological Discoveries in Bulgaria" at the Louvre. This exhibition brings together the works from 17 different Bulgarian museums.

On 15th April 2015 the King of Spain Felipe VI visited Brussels and the European Institutions ie the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council. Although he had already been to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 1999 this trip was his first visit as King of Spain. Together with Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo His Royal Highness was hosted by the Presidents of Parliament Martin Schulz, of the Council, Donald Tusk and of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. He took advantage of his presence in Brussels to speak with political groups in the European Parliament as well as with some Spanish MEPs.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was on an official visit to the USA on 17th April. He met American President Barack Obama. The two main subjects of discussion were security issues, notably after the capsizing of a boat carrying 700 migrants in the Mediterranean and negotiations over the free-trade and investment treaty (TTIP). The two men also discussed the links between their two countries.

The mandate of Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski elected in 2010 is now coming to an end. The next presidential election will take place on 10th May next and Mr Komorowski is running again. During an interview he reviewed the five years he has spent as head of the country. He recalled the importance of debate and cooperation in the political and legislative process: "dialogue is the basis on which a society's harmony is founded." With this vision of the democratisation and internationalisation of Poland he spoke of the 270 international meetings that have been organised in Poland during his mandate as well as the organisation of the next NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016.

On 13th April 2015 the Schengen Information System (SIS) started operating in the UK. The SIS, which includes 25 EU Member States as well as four associate countries represents a key part of national authority cooperation in terms of implementing the law notably over the fight to counter terrorism and organised crime. The integration of the UK into this system, although effective since the Council of February 13th 2015, required significant effort on the part of all participating States as well as eu-LISA, the agency responsible for the operational management of SIS. Since the UK is not a Schengen Area member the SIS will only be used as part of police and judicial cooperation and not in terms of the external border policy.

The French, German, Ukrainian and Russian Foreign Ministers met in the "Normandy" format on 13th April. They called for greater involvement on the part of the OSCE in the implementation of the Minsk II Protocol. The cease-fire plans for the withdrawal of all heavy arms from the area of fighting and ministers said they hoped that the process would gather pace and that smaller arms would be included in the agreement. After several weeks of relative calm fighting with heavy arms has started again in the Donbas. Although conversations were "difficult at times" according to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the ministers agreed to call for a de-escalation in the conflict. Mr. Steinmeier did however recall that the implementation of the cease-fire was not enough to take the situation forward and that elections had to be organised in the autonomous regions and that access to humanitarian aid be facilitated.

On 17th April French President François Hollande hosted Icelandic President Olafur Grimsson. They said they hoped that France and Iceland might strengthen their university, scientific and economic partnerships, notably in the energy sector. Cooperation agreements on geothermal energy were also signed. Moreover the Icelandic President indicated that he would support France's efforts during the climate conference in December 2015 in view of an ambitious, universal and binding agreement. The meeting also led to discussions over the Arctic and notably the protection of the environment in this sensitive region. On the invitation of the Icelandic President Mr Hollande will travel to Iceland to inaugurate the International Arctic Circle Conference in October.

On 15th and 16th April French President François Hollande was on an official trip to Switzerland. He met with Simonetta Sommaruga, the President of the Helvetic Confederation. This visit focused on three themes: investment, green growth and vocational training. The President travelled to Bern, Zurich and Lausanne where he visited schools and businesses meeting some representatives of the French community. Regarding tension over tax issues between the two countries the President of the Confederation said that "relations had cooled sometimes but "this visit marked the opening of a new phase, defined by conviviality and cordiality."

The Council of Europe's Group of Experts of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published a fourth report on 16th April in which it asks the 35 States in the GRETA network to step up work to protect children. The States must set out legal, adapted protection for these children, together with assistance, compensation as well as the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators. Human trafficking was the focus of a Council of Europe convention drawn up in 2005 which has now been signed and ratified by 43 States.

On 14th April WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo presented "the WTO's statistics for world trade in 2015-2016". He lauded the progress made by the Bali Package that is now being implemented and which is encouraging greater involvement in trade policy in order to "foster growth" and to "create a trade-friendly global environment". He announced a slight increase in the volume of world merchandise trade of 2.8% in 2014, with this due to rise over the next few years to 3.3% in 2015 and 4% in 2016.

On 15th April Eurostat indicated that the international goods trade balance was again in surplus in February 2015 totalling 20.3 billion € in the euro zone - against only 3.4 billion for the European Union. Exports lay at 160.7 billion €, ie an increase of 4% in comparison with February 2014, whilst imports remained stable at 140.5 billion € in the euro zone. The trade surplus rose from 14.4 to 20.3 billion euro between February 2014 and February 2015. Intra-euro zone trade also rose slightly (+1%) in comparison with February 2014.

A recent study by the European Business Awards showed that 86% of business leaders supported the UK remaining in the EU against 11% who want it to leave. A large majority of them believe that the UK's exit of the EU would be negative from all points of view, notably regarding the British economy and the EU itself. The survey included interviews with 437 business leaders across 32 European countries (of which 124 were British), representing all areas of activity.

Peter Lang publishing has released a book by Victoria Martin de la Torre, "Europe, a Leap into the Unknown" in the series "Mémoires de l'Europe en devenir" with a preface by Javier Solana. The author relates the decade that witnessed the birth of the European Community (1948-1957). The reader learns everything there is to know about the "Fathers of Europe" - Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, Alcide de Gaspieri and Paul-Henri Spaak. The book explores the origins of the European project via their discussions that are key to understanding the decisions that were taken at the time and which now influence the lives of 500 million Europeans.

From 13th to 24th May 2015 the 68th Cannes Festival will be taking place. The official selection, the juries and all of the events this year were unveiled on 16th April. The jury chairs will be Joel and Ethan Coen. This year which celebrates the 120 years of the invention of the Lumière Cinematograph the Cannes Festival will be paying tribute, via the Coen brothers, to the work of all "the brothers of cinema" who have enriched its history since the time of Louis and Auguste Lumière.