On 6th May 2015 Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation will be the main guest at a public conference organised by the European Movement Var entitled "Quelle relance pour l'Europe?" (What kind of recovery for Europe?). This conference, organised as part of the celebrations for "Europe Day", will begin at 17:30 in the Mozart Room, Toulon.

The UK's GDP rose by 0.3% between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015 according to an estimate published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 28th April. British economic growth has slowed significantly however in comparison with the 0.6% registered in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014.

Economic sentiment remained almost unchanged in April 2015 in the euro zone after three months of improvement said the European Commission on 29th April. Stabilisation may be linked to the Greek crisis which continues to weigh over the region. The sentiment index lay at 103.7 points, i.e. 0.2 points less than in March. Although confidence improved in services, it deteriorated at the same time in construction and amongst consumers.

On 29th April the agency Moody's took Greece's rating down a notch from Caa1 to Caa2 with a negative outlook quoting the "high uncertainty" regarding the country's ability to reach an agreement with its creditors over its debt in time. Simultaneously the Greek economy remains in a difficult situation with "severe liquidity restrictions", declining wages and taxes and the State's doubtful ability to finance its spending and to repay its debt.

On 28th April 2015 the European Commission announced that it had adopted a special measure for the development of the private sector to a total of 70 million euro - as part of the 11 billion euro package of aid to Ukraine. The amount allocated comes under the European programme that aims to help economic recovery and development in Ukraine and will target SMEs and entrepreneurs in particular. This specific measure will be completed by a loan guarantee facility totalling 40 million euro. These sums will especially be directed towards SMEs and entrepreneurs in the regions affected by the conflict.

On 27th April the Commission adopted a new directive that aims to improve road safety in Europe. It has decided to facilitate the introduction of interlock alcohol devices in some cars. Drunk driving is indeed one of the four causes behind 75% of road deaths (along with speeding, riding over red lights and not wearing a seat belt). The interlock devices which prevent the car from starting if there is alcohol in the bloodstream might be introduced in several member States to prevent a person's driving licence from being withdrawn completely if they have been caught previously for drunk driving. This will enable them to maintain the right to drive but only in cars that are equipped with the devices.

The EU's High Representative Federica Mogherini put forward a new action plan for Human Rights and Democracy on 29th April covering the period 2015-2019. She recalled that Human Rights were one of her mandate's main priorities. This plan sets out five strategic areas of action: the strengthening of the role of local players, addressing major challenges to Human Rights, the introduction of a global approach to Human Rights in conflicts and crises, the coherence of policies undertaken and the development of a new culture in terms of addressing human rights based on effectiveness and the quest for results. This plan is due to be adopted by the Council before the summer.

On 28th April the European Parliament approved a project regarding the cap on crop-derived biofuel production. This text aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (production of traditional biofuels has led to an increasing use of agricultural land), as well as an increase in the production of advanced biofuels. European legislation demands that the share of renewable energies in the transport sector reach 10% by 2020. The text that has been approved states that crop-derived biofuels should only represent 7% of final energy consumption in this sector by 2020. The new legislation is due to be adopted by the Member States by 2017.

On 29th April 2015 MEPs adopted a resolution on emergency measures to be implemented in terms of immigration. They asked for an extension and clarification of operation Triton's mandate so that "search and rescue" operations on an EU level would be included, the establishment of a binding quota regarding the distribution of asylum seekers between all of the countries in the EU, an increase in contributions to re-settlement programmes, the implementation of better cooperation with third countries as well as the implementation of stricter sanctions to be taken against traffickers. This resolution followed a speech delivered by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission to the European Parliament on the same day.

On 29th April MEPs accepted the early release of one billion euro designed to pre-finance projects to counter youth unemployment (632 votes in support, 30 against and 31 abstentions) in countries where youth unemployment figures are over 25%. This vote provides the greenlight to a recent Commission proposal that would like to speed up the launch of projects for employment and training of the under 25's across the Member States. The availability of one billion euro as of 2015 does not imply a new injection of funds since these had already been set aside for the Youth Employment Initiative. But the envelope is being made available earlier than planned.

On 29th April 2015 MEPs decide to postpone the approval of the 2013 spending by the European Council and the Council of Ministers, the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) and two EU/private new technology partnerships (ARTEMIS and ENIAC). Parliament's refusal to approve the European Council and the Council of Minister's spending is due to their persistent failure to supply the necessary figures. The bodies targeted have until the autumn to provide the necessary information, the date when the European Parliament will take a final decision. All of the other EU bodies' spending was approved, such as the European Commission which was however the focus of criticism regarding its mistakes in terms of the agricultural, regional and employment policies.

MEPs adopted a directive on 28th April whereby the Member States will have to reduce their use of plastic bags to a total of 90 bags/person per year by 2019 or make consumers pay for them. Indeed each European uses around 200 plastic bags per year which are particularly damaging for the environment. Their consumption has risen exponentially over the last 50 years, whilst they usually end up in the dustbin 90% of the time. 740 million euro might be saved estimates the European Commission. In France single-use plastic bags will be banned as of next year.

Germany is due to lose around 10 million inhabitants and its population will lie between 68 and 73 million by 2060 according to demographic forecasts presented on 28th April in Berlin by the German statistics institute (Destatis). The decline in the population is the result of a decreasing fertility rate and even high immigration rates will not be able to compensate for this decrease. However the decline will be less pronounced than forecast in the last study of this type published in 2009. At the time Destatis forecast between 65 to 70 million inhabitants in 2060.

The heads of the national academies of science of the G7 countries presented their research projects on 29th April to Angela Merkel whose country is chairing the G7 from 2014-2015. The German Chancellor explained that it is absolutely vital to involve the scientific community in the political process (G7, UN, etc ...) in the defence of the environment and the fight to counter disease. She hopes to take advantage of the G7 chairmanship to take two UN projects forward: a global agreement on climate under the Cop21 and an international agenda for sustainable development. This meeting also allowed the Chancellor to promote certain issues that she believes important such as the fight to counter tropical disease and infectious illnesses, as well as the protection of the oceans.

French President François Hollande travelled to Doha on 4th May on the occasion of the signature of a contract between Dassault Aviation and the State of Qatar for the sale of 24 Rafale fighter planes. An intergovernmental agreement for the training of 36 pilots and mechanics is also due to be signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two States. The French President will attend the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) on 5th May.

The most recent televised debate before the UK general elections took place on 30th April and brought together outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and LibDem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. The three pretenders to the title of Prime Minister answered questions put by the audience. According to an ICM/Guardian poll David Cameron is said to have done better according to 44% of viewers whilst Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg were said to have convinced 38% and 19% of the public. David Cameron's policy was notably to address the issue of budgetary cuts in social aid, and Ed Miliband, who re-called his pro-European commitment, was asked about his credibility in terms of governing the country.

The 17th summit between EU-Ukraine was held on 27th April in Kyiv. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk met Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during a first summit as part of the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. Europe's leaders complimented Ukraine on the work it had undertaken so far but called for acceleration in terms of implementing reform. They also called on all Member States to ratify the association agreement. All participants recalled their attachment to the ceasefire as set out in the Minsk II protocol, declaring that this was the best solution to end the crisis with Russia. The EU supports supervision of the truce by the OSCE and hopes for a total halt to fighting as well as transparency regarding the movement of heavy arms.

The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published a report on 29th April in which it denounces the situation of Human Rights in Ukraine. It assesses the cases of poor treatment of prisoners inflicted by the police force during Maidan events and the conditions of imprisonment within the context of the fight to counter terrorism. At the beginning of 2015 the CPT already declared that it was "extremely concerned" about the poor treatment of prisoners by prison staff, major corruption and a general climate of intimidation. The Ukrainian authorities have announced that criminal investigations have now been launched into these issues.

According to a Eurostat study published on 30th April the unemployment rate in the euro zone lay at 11.3% in March 2015 and 9.8% in the EU. In the euro zone as in the EU the unemployment rate remained stable in comparison with February 2015 but declined slightly in comparison with last year, when figures lay at 11.7% and 10.4% respectively in March 2014. The lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Germany (4.7%), whilst Greece (25.7% in January 2015) and Spain (23%) recorded the highest figures. France is amongst the countries with the sharpest rises in unemployment on a national level (+0.5%), likewise Croatia (+0.9%), Finland (+0.7%) and Italy (+0.6%).

The annual inflation rate in the euro zone rose in April 2015 according to a Eurostat study published on 30th April. It totalled 0%, against -0.1% in March, -0.3% in February and -0.6% in January 2015. Services and the food industry, alcohol and tobacco experienced the sharpest inflation increases (0.9% each against 1% and 0.6% in March), whilst the energy sector remained negative in terms of the inflation rate (-5.8% in April, against -6% in March).

From 9th May to 21st June the Compton Verney art gallery in Warwickshire is hosting the works of the National Gallery of London as part of the "Masterpiece Tour for 2015" that will take works by the greatest painters on tour around the UK. The exhibition will contrast the famous "Regatta on the Canal" by Venetian artist, Canaletto on show in London, with the Napolitan art of the 17th and 18th century on show at the Compton Verney, notably the work "Posillipo with the Palazzo Donn'Anna of c.1701" by Vanvitelli. This is an exhibition that will promote the various approaches and techniques used by both artists and their passion for the Bay of Naples.

Aquae is the grand universal exhibition devoted to water. It is the only official event linked to Expo 2015 in Milan that focuses on food and nutrition. The Venetian exhibition will run until 31st October 2015.

"The Crucifixion", an altarpiece by El Greco, will be on loan from the Louvre to the National Gallery of London on the occasion of the temporary exhibition that is running until 2nd August 2015. Another work by El Greco "Agony in the Garden" belonging to a private collection, will be on loan and on show for the first time in 25 years.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is running an exceptional exhibition until 6th July 2015, "Keys to a Passion" with sixty 20th century works of art borrowed from around 40 institutions notably including the "The Scream" by Munch, "The Dance" by Matisse, "The Walking Man" by Giacometti. These emblematic works are normally only loaned on rare occasions - "The Scream" for example has not left the Munch Museum in Oslo since 2006.

The Leopold of Vienna Museum is running an exhibition until 14th September 2015 of over 80 works by British artist Tracey Emin, a major figure amongst the "Young British Artists." Entitled "Where I want to go" this exhibition also provides an opportunity to discover a selection of drawings by Austrian artist Egon Schiele (1890-1918), chosen by the British artist.