The Chairman of the Foundation welcomed the two votes made by the European Parliament on copyright and the situation in Hungary, as well as the speech "on the State of the Union" which reflects the awakening of Europe.

Luxembourgers are electing their 60 MPs on 14th October next. According to the most recent poll by TNS, the Christian Social People's Party is due to win 26 seats (+3 in comparison with 2013) followed by the Democratic Party, with 10 seats (-3), the Socialist Workers' Party 9 MPs (-4), the Greens/Dei Greng 7 seats (+1), the Alternative Democratic Reformist Party (ADR), 5 (+2) and the Left (LG/DL) 3 (+1). Many political observers are betting on the return of a coalition government led by the Christian Social People's Party. With whom? Anything is possible.

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker advocated on 12th September that the European Union, already an economic heavyweight, strengthen its political aura in the international arena during his speech on the State of the Union to MEPs in Strasbourg.

In a resolution regarding the state of relations between the EU and the USA, adopted on 12th September, 490 votes in support, 148 against and 51 abstentions, MEPs stressed that the transatlantic relationship is a vital part of world stability, but they regretted that the present US government has chosen a unilateral "America First" policy, which damages Europe's interests likewise those of the USA and challenges mutual trust.

On 10th and 11th September an informal meeting of Healthcare Ministers took place in Vienna. At the heart of discussions were medicine supply security and the use of modern e-communication channels in the area of healthcare.

"Our doors are open, your place is within the European Union, you hold the keys," this is message that the EU's High Representative Federica Mogherini sent out to the citizens of Macedonia during her visit to Skopje on 13th September and before the referendum on 30th September.

The EU Court of Justice confirmed restrictive measures on 13th September adopted by the Council against several Russian banks and oil and gas businesses as part of the crisis with Ukraine.

According to a report on air pollution published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on 11th September, the latter is still a main factor in terms of the environmental risk to health in the EU with 400,000 premature deaths per year.

The European Central Bank reduced its growth forecasts slightly for 2018 and 2019 on 13th September. It will also halve its massive assets purchases on the markets, the final stage before they are stopped completely at the end of December.

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz presented his draft federal budget for 2019 to the Bundestag on 11th September, which is balanced and does not need debt despite higher spending (+13 billion €) over one year to 356.8 billion €. The use of a surplus of nearly 30 billion promises for intense debate.

Maria Luisa Carcedo succeeded Carmen Monton on 13th September as Spanish Healthcare, Consumption and Social Well Being Minister. Following this appointment, women remain the majority in Pedro Sanchez's government (11 out of 17), which comprises the most women in the world.

The French government deemed the Commission's project that aims to adapt the maritime corridor between Ireland and post-Brexit Union. The Commission suggested that French ports be excluded from the trans-European North Sea/Mediterranean corridor.

On 13th and 14th September Riga hosted the 14th informal meeting Arraiolos (Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Estonia, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Germany) to discuss the future of Europe.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met his Luxembourg counterpart, Xavier Bettel on 13th September. They discussed Brexit, immigration and the taxation of digital giants.

On 10th September the members of "article 50 working group" visited the port of Rotterdam in preparation for Brexit. The aim is maintain the fluidity of trade as much as possible and to limit any possible border delays.

On 13th September the British Minister responsible for Brexit published a second round of technical notes on the consequences of a no-deal Brexit for British citizens and businesses. In the event of no deal with the EU some of the most relevant problems, notably the invalidity of the British driving licence, mobile roaming fees, and numerous legal and administrative issues have been identified.

On 13th September the new Slovenian government led by Prime Minister Marjan Šarec was appointed. The government comprises 17 ministers, four of whom are women. It should be noted that outgoing Prime Minister Miro Cerar will be Foreign Affairs Minister and that former Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek, will be Infrastructure Minister. The government is a coalition between the parties of Marjan Šarec (LMŠ), Alenka Bratušek (SAB), the Centre Party (SMC), the Social Democrats (SD) and the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS).

According to a study published by Eurostat on 14th September, in July 2018, the euro zone recorded a trade surplus of 17.6 billion € with the rest of world, against +21.6 in July 2017. In the same period the EU registered a surplus of 0.1 billion €, against +7.8 billion in July 2017.

The international organisation for migration (IOM) indicated in a report published on 14th September that more than one migrant in five arrived illegally in Europe via land, i.e. six times more than last year at the same period, as they relinquish the maritime route. The most frequent itinerary is the one linking Turkey to Greece in authorities have registered 12,166 arrivals over land since the beginning of the year.

The Warsaw Autumn of contemporary music is taking place between 21st to 29th September.