Le Figaro published an article by Jean-Dominique Giuliani in which he suggests that Europeans have every reason to be proud of the European Union.

Following the general elections in Latvia on 6th October, 7 parties will be represented in the Saiema. Harmony (left, close to Russia), won 19.9% of the vote KPV LV (populist) 14.06%, the New Conservative Party 13.6%, For Development 12%, National Alliance 11%, the Greens and Farmers 10% and New Unity (centre right), 6.7%. Everything hinges on the question of the next government coalition.

The European Solidarity Corps entered into force on 5th October. Many projects supporting private and public organisations in terms of strengthening cohesion, solidarity and democracy have been launched. This programme, inspired by Erasmus+ is addressed to Young people aged 18 to 30, European citizens and those from its neighbourhood who want to volunteer for projects across Europe. The Commission put forward a budget of 340 million euro until 2020.

On 2nd October MEPs approved the cancellation of 70 million € in aid to Turkey, 544 in support, 28 against and 74 abstentions, as a sanction for the regime's infringements of human rights and the freedom of the press. The proposal which focuses on Turkey's so-called "pre-accession" funds was approved during a vote organised in the Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg.

Together with the Romanian Prime Minister, Viorica Dăncilă on 3rd October Parliament held a debate regarding the situation of the rule of law in Romania. Members of the Civil Liberties Committee and the Commission's Vice-President Frans Timmermans, called on the Prime Minister to overthrow a controversial reform of the legal system and support the fight to counter corruption. The latter defended her government's actions and maintained that it had never deviated from the values of Europe. A resolution on the issue will be voted on in the next plenary session in November.

Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas spoke to Parliament in Strasbourg on 3rd October. He defended the Union's unity as it faces migratory pressure and the importance of open borders within the Union. He defended the role of small countries, "the Union's mortar" and insisted on the need for an ambitious multi-annual budget and greater defence cooperation in terms of the Atlantic Alliance.

On 3rd October MEPs approved a Commission proposal, 389 votes in support, 239 against and 41 abstentions, that aims to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and to step up the insertion of low-carbon cars into the market so that they represent 35% by 2030. Parliament also asked the Commission to table, within two years, plans for a real-world CO2 emissions test using a portable device.

On 4th October Parliament adopted a regulation on the free-flow of non-personal data, 520 votes in support, 81 against and 6 abstentions. The text relates to commercial data or that generated by machines. Parliament provides for possible restrictions in the event of a public security threat and a code of practice to facilitate the transfer of this data within the Single Market. Personal data is still protected by the regulation regarding data protection. (GDPR).

MEPs adopted a reform of Eurojust (the European agency for judicial cooperation) on 4th October, 515 votes in support, 64 against and 26 abstentions. The new governance system takes on board the creation of the European Prosecutor's Office by 2021 and the European Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Council has to validate formally these new rules.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country is currently presiding of the Council of the European Union met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on 3rd October. Discussions focused on economic relations between the two countries, notably in terms of energy cooperation, as well as the future of the gaspipeline project Nord Stream 2. Other international and regional issues such as the situation in Syria and Ukraine were also discussed.

During an informal trade Council that took place in Innsbruck on 5th October, Minister re-iterated the wish to modernise the WTO. They also prepared the signature of the free-trade agreement and investment protection with Singapore, which is to take place during the Europe-Asia Summit on 18th and 19th October.

On 14th October the CSU will probably lose its absolute majority in Bavaria and will therefore be forced to form a coalition. Surveys are predicting that it will only win around 33% of the vote - the Greens are due to come second with 18%, then the SPD with 11% and the AfD with 10%, which would be the first time this party would enter the regional parliament of Bavaria.

In its annual report on world trade published on 3rd October the WTO lays out the future landscape of trade linked to technological developments now ongoing. The internet of things, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and blockchains will have deep effect on world trade and could add about 34 percentage points to the growth of trade by 2030.

In a report published on 1st October with the IMF and the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation defends the idea of re-invigorated trade to foster more inclusive growth and to increase productivity world wide. The report stresses that to achieve these goals, reform is necessary in many areas, particularly the trade of services, digital technologies and foreign direct investments, as well as access to goods markets and regulation cooperation.

This festival brings together world and contemporary jazz artists. The styles are very diverse: classical, modern, improvisation, experimental. The 31st festival is taking place from 11th to 14th October.

The contemporary art festival at the CAFe Budapest is taking place until 21st October. This year the festival focuses on artists from the Baltic States and the work of Béla Bartók, the famous Hungarian composer and pianist.

The International Film Festival of Warsaw is focusing on directors of Central and Eastern Europe this year and will be taking place from 12th to 21st October for the 34th year running.

On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the death of the master of Flemish Renaissance, the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna is devoting an exhibition to Bruegel until 13th January.

More than 150 pieces of work covering 70 years of creation, including some which are unique in France by the famous painter Joan Miro have been brought together at the Grand Palais in Paris until February 4th 2019.