In view of the upcoming European elections the Robert Schuman Foundation has published a new edition of the "Permanent Atlas of the European Union," which offers a full overview of the Union, the euro zone and each of the Member States. It provides the reader with all types of the most recent and most objective information, both political and statistical, at any time. Available in paper form from the Foundation's site and in bookshops, it is also available in digital form.

The question of the White Paper on European Defence is the focus of discussion. Many, notably in the European Parliament, are pushing this initiative, whilst others deem that it is not useful. The European Parliament has just published a study by Frédéric Mauro that aims to outline the path towards a White Paper.

The European Commission launched an indepth inquiry on 10th January to decide whether the tax rulings granted to Nike by the Netherlands gave the company an undue advantage in comparison with its competitors, in breach of the Union's rules in terms of State aid. The inquiry will seek to decide whether measures has unduly reduced Nike's tax base since 2006.

On 8th January European Affairs Ministers assessed the priorities set out by the Romanian Presidency of the Council based on four axes: Europe of convergence, safer Europe, Europe of common values, Europe as a stronger global actor. They were informed of the progress in discussions for the next multi-annual financial framework (2021-2027). They exchanged views regarding disinformation, a vital issue in view of the upcoming European elections, and notably which factors might become a priority as part of a future action plan, requested by the European Council in December. Ministers also discussed the way that communication could be improved in Europe.

On 8th January the Commission withdrew the "yellow card" inflicted on Thailand since April 2015, which indicated that the country was not fighting enough to counter illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing. The Commission acknowledged that Thailand had made progress and remedied the lacuna in its legal and administrative systems in the area of fishing. The withdrawal of the yellow card brings the procedure to an end which might have led to restrictions on Thai imports of fishing resources.

On 10th January the Advocate General of the EU Court of Justice suggested that the scope of the right to be forgotten, which the operators of search engines are obliged to respect, should be limited to the Union only. It recommends the deletion of internet links of a search engine only in the Union, including the use of the "geo-blocking" technique so as not to damage the freedom of people outside of the Union to access information. As part of another affair the Advocate General suggested that the Court deem that the operator of a search engine should systematically accept a request for the de-referencing of sensitive data, whilst protecting the right to access information and the freedom of expression.

In a letter addressed to the European Parliament on 14th January the Court of Auditors calls for EU legislators to intervene to ensure that the ECB provides it with full access to the necessary documents for the audit of banking supervision. The Court deems that banking supervision activities comprise major risks for public finances, but that it is unable to audit them correctly if the ECB does not give it greater access to the necessary documents.

The euro, the EU's common currency turned 20 on 1st January. In January 1999, 11 Member States took the euro as their official common currency and granted their monetary policy to the European Central Bank. In 2002, with the introduction of coins and notes, the euro became "a little bit of Europe in our hands" according to the then President of the Commission, Romano Prodi. The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani recalled the strong popular support enjoyed by the common currency. Mr Tusk, President of the European Council stressed that it was an instrument for the Union's expression of political and economic strength worldwide. 19 Member States now use the euro.

On her first visit to Greece in five years, on 10th and 11th January, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Greek Alexis Tsipras discussed Greece's return to economic stability, migration and Macedonia. She ensured that Greece "could continue to count on its partnership and friendship with Germany." She stressed that the agreement over the name of Macedonia would be to the advantage of the Western Balkans and the EU.

The Spanish government put forward its 2019 budget on 11th January, which it defines as the most social that the country has ever known: consolidation of public services, an increase in retirement spending, studies grants, spending devoted to countering violence against women and against financial dependency on tax increases. With a forecast of growth of 2% the Finance Minister, Maria Jesus Montero maintained that despite the rise in spending, the budget will be in line with European budgetary stability principles: the deficit forecast lies at 1.8% of the GDP.

On 8th January the French and German governments announced that they will sign the new Franco-German cooperation and integration treaty on 22nd January in Aix-la-Chapelle/Aachen. Based on the Elysée Treaty of 1963 (Franco-German Friendship Treaty), it will strengthen links in areas such as economic policy, foreign and security policy, education and culture, research and technology, climate and the environment, as well as in terms of cooperation between border regions and between civil society.

Before the vote on the ratification for the agreement over the name of Macedonia, the Greek Defence Minister, Panos Kammenos, leader of the nationalist Anel party, a government partner with far left Syriza handed in his resignation on 13th January since he is against the agreement. Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, has asked for a vote of confidence in Parliament that is planned for 16th January.

On 7th January the Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis asked Krišjānis Kariņš of the New Unity Party (centre-right) to try and form a government based on the support that he won on the part of four other parties: the New Conservative Party, Development/FOR National Alliance, KPV LV. This would give the government a majority of 66 out of 100 seats in Parliament after the elections on 6th October last.

Pawel Adamowicz, Mayor of Gdansk since 1998 and member of the Centre-Right Party Civic Platform (PO), died on 14th January following a stabbing on the previous evening during a charity gala. Thousands of people, including the President of the Council of the EU, Donald Tusk gathered in Gdansk on Monday evening to pay tribute to him, whilst the Polish political class condemned this act unanimously. The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani paid tribute to Mr Adamowicz on 15th January during a minute's silence in memory of the victims of violent attacks in Europe.

The interim head of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), Anca Jurma announced on 8th January that she was giving up the bid to stay in office longer, speaking of a "hostile environment" in the exercise of her work in Romania, a country that took over the six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1st January. This magistrate took over from Laura Codruta Kovesa in July who was dismissed by the majority in power. The latter has just referred the case to the ECHR regarding her dismissal.

On 9th January MP adopted an amendment forcing the government to return quickly to them if they were to reject the withdrawal agreement concluded with Brussels. If the MPs reject the agreement on 15th January, Theresa May will have three days to submit plan B to them on the occasion of a new vote. An amendment delivered by Dominic Grieve was adopted by the House of Commons 308 votes to 297. This is a further defeat for the Prime Minister after the adopted by MPs of a first amendment on 8th January which would limit the budgetary room to manoeuvre on the part of the government in the event of a "no deal".

On 11th January the Macedonian Parliament adopted the four constitutional amendments required for the ratification of the country's name change into "Republic of Northern Macedonia, in line with the agreement with Greece, signed in June 2018. The agreement was ratified by 81 MPs, one vote more than the two-thirds majority necessary, whilst th opposition boycotted the vote and called for a snap election. The change of name which is due to take Macedonia's integration into NATO and the EU forward, will enter into force if it is also ratified by the Greek Parliament.

On 8th January the Consultative Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which comes under the authority of the Council of Europe, urged Lithuania to adopt a comprehensive legal framework, to prevent discrimination against pupils in minority language schools and to counter negative stereotypes of Roma. In its opinion the Committee particularly regretted that major linguistic rights had not been implemented adequately. The Committee did however lauded the re-introduction of a Department for National Minorities.

The President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, announced on 7th January that he will be leaving office on 1st February. The interim will be ensured by the present Director General and former European Commissioner, Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva. According to tradition the next president will certainly be American.

Unemployment adjusted to seasonal variations was established in November 2018 at 6.7% for the EU and at 7.9% for the euro zone, according to the most recent Eurostat data published on 9th January. The best in the class are the Czech Republic (1.9%), Germany (3.3%), Netherlands (3.5%), whilst the highest rates were seen in Greece (18.6%) and in Spain (14.7%). Unemployment has dropped particularly in Croatia, Greece and Spain in comparison with last year.

The Museum of Hunting and Nature is has offered Romanian artist Mircea Cantor "carte blanche" for an exhibition from 15th January to 31st March as part of the France-Romania Season 2019 and at a time when Romania is chairing the Council of the EU. The artist takes up the traditional festivals and the production of objects inspired by the faune of Romania exhibiting images, popular artistic objects and works from the Museum of Romanian Peasantry of Bucharest.