The European Commission presented a communication on 14th February on the future of the European budget. Modernisation means the strengthening of links between the budget's goals and the means of financing it. Moreover the communication highlights the possibilities of strengthening the link - often called "conditionality" - between funding and the respect of fundamental values.

The modifications that Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ have made to their terms of use to bring them in line with European consumer protection rules were published on 15th February. The European Commission has invited businesses from the social media sector to agree to do more in response to European requirements.

A series of defence research projects received the support of the European Defence Fund on 16th February. Launched by the President of the Commission in June 2017, this fund catalyses the creation of a powerful European defence industry. It enables the stimulation of defence capabilities and helps build cross-border partnerships.

During its meeting on 19th February the Eurogroup chose Spaniard Luis de Guindos, the Spanish Minister for the Economy, for the post of Vice-President of the European Central Bank. For her part, Finn Marjut Santoni will be the Secretary General of the European Investment Bank. Greece is on the right path following progress in terms of the vital priority actions for the conclusion of the third Greek programme review.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met on 19th February. Ministers proceeded to an exchange of opinion regarding the communication of the future of the common agricultural policy (CAP). During a public session the Council notably focused on the direct support that the EU provides to European farmers, the environmental dimension of the CAP and rural development.

European Foreign Affairs Ministers expressed their concern on 15th February about developments in the Syrian crisis and said that they wanted to be involved in peace talks under the aegis of the UN.

On 13th February the EU's Ombudsman invited the 28 Member States to make their positions public so that there is greater transparency in their decision making process as co-legislator. "It is almost impossible for citizens to follow legislative discussions between the representatives of the national governments. The approach of discussions behind closed doors alienates the citizens and feeds negative opinions," said Emily O'Reilly.

On 12th February the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) warned consumers of the high risks of buying and/or holding so-called Virtual Currencies (VCs), "which are high risk, unregulated products that are not suitable for investments, savings or for the preparation of retirement.

During the security conference in Munich from 16th to 18th February discussions focussed on the future of role of the European Union as a global player and its relations with Russia and the USA. France and Germany wanted to embody a new European commitment to defence and advocated greater military spending, more pooling of arms programmes and more common operations.

On 15th February German Chancellor Angela Merkel met her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim. They agreed to strengthen bilateral dialogue after months of particularly tense relations between the two countries. The liberation of German-Turkish journalist, Deniz Yücel, on 16th February, by the Turkish government is said to have helped the situation. At the same time the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, re-iterated his concern about the duration and extent of the state of emergency established in Turkey after the failed putsch of July 2016.

The President of the French Senate, Gérard Larcher was hosted by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on 14th and 15th February. This visit aimed to strengthen bilateral Franco-Polish relations and to discuss the European agenda, especially the integration of the Weimar Triangle into Europe.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 15th February for December 2017 the EU's international goods trade is in surplus by 14.3 billion € in December 2017 and that of the euro zone was in surplus of 25.4 billion €.

The Berlin Film Festival is taking place until 25th February. This international festival brings together players of various origins, and spectators will be able to take part in workshops and many debates.

From 21st February to 13th May the Pompidou Centre is devoting a retrospective for the very first time to the work of David Goldblatt, a key figure in the South African photographic scene and a leading artist in the engaged documentary. In his work the artist maintains singular tension between the subjects, the land, politics and representation.