After the vote, and for a better understanding of the Union and what it does, the Foundation suggests you read the "Permanent Atlas of the European Union" a book that gives a complete overview of the Union, the euro zone and each of its Members States and their overseas territories. It is available in print version from the Foundation's website, in bookshops and in digital version. It is up-dated on a permanent basis ....

On 26th June the Commission announced the names of the universities which will be members of the first "European universities". 114 higher education establishments in 24 Member States were selected to form 17 alliances called European universities. The member establishments of these universities will pool their expertise and their resources and will offer greater mobility to their students and staff. They will enjoy a total budget of a maximum 85 million € over three years.

On 26th June Europe's environment ministers adopted conclusions on chemical substances stressing the need to improve and integrate the assessment of chemical risks and the management of chemical substances in Europe's legislation as a whole to strengthen the coherence and efficiency of the latter in their regard. They also debate the recycling of water for agricultural irrigation.

Two new trade agreements between the EU and Vietnam were signed on 30th June in Hanoi - a free trade agreement and an agreement to protect investments. The free-trade agreement eliminates 99% of the customs barriers between the two parties whilst the second agreement strengthens the protection of European investments in Vietnam. The free-trade agreement also includes measures to protect intellectual property, sustainable development and the liberalisation of investments. Negotiations initially started in 2012.

The Advocate General of the ECJ (European Court of Justice), Evgeni Tanchev gave his opinion regarding a part of the reform of the Polish Supreme Court established by the government led by the Law and Justice Party (PiS). Following the reduction of the age of retirement of the judges of the Supreme Court, invalidated by the ECJ on 24th June, the latter can only appeal to retain their position before a new body, the "Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court". The Advocate General deems that this Disciplinary Chamber does not satisfy the requirements of judicial independence guaranteed by Union law.

On 27th June the new Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Social Democratic Party) who won the elections on 5th June presented the new government, formed of the coalition of four leftwing parties (Social Democratic Party, People's Socialist Party, Unity List- Red/Green Alliance and the Social Liberal Party). Denmark is the third nordic country to form a centre-left government this year. The coalition programme is putting forward two priorities - climate and immigration.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted French President Emmanuel Macron on 26th June in Tokyo. The two leaders coordinated their positions, notably regarding trade and climate issues, on the eve of the G20 summit organised by Japan in Osaka, and prior to the G7 summit in Biarritz in August.

On 27th June, the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council met in Brussels. It noted the progress made by Montenegro in view of its EU membership: 32 negotiation chapters have now been opened in all. The Council encouraged Montenegro to continue its work in the areas of rule of law, economic governance, public administration, the freedom of the press and the fight to combat corruption.

During the tenth meeting of the Membership Conference with Serbia on 27th June, the European Union opened a new negotiation chapter (chapter 9 on financial services). It is the 17th chapter opened out of 35 for Serbia, which has been a candidate since 2009 and the start of negotiations in 2014.

Russia made its return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on 25th June after a vote the day before, 118 votes in support 62 against, on a resolution lifting sanctions against it. PACE deprived the Russian delegation of its rights in 2014 in response to the annexation of Crimea. In exchange the Assembly called on the Russian authorities to implement a series of recommendations made by the Assembly, notably the liberation of Ukrainian sailors, cooperating in bringing to justice those responsible for the destruction of flight MH17. On 26th June PACE called on the Russian authorities to "re-open and continue" their investigation into the assassination of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, as it listed a certain number of "serious concerns" about the independence and efficacy of the said investigation at present.

On 26th and 27th June, the NATO member country Defence Ministers met in Brussels to debate the major security challenges and notably Russia's violation of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF). Ministers insisted on the fact that Russia could still save the treaty and that it would be the position defended by the Allies in the NATO-Russia Council meeting which is to be held on 5th July. Ministers discussed the progress made regarding the issue of burden sharing, the position of dissuasion and the defence of the Alliance, new technologies and NATO's mission in Afghanistan. Finally, they approved a new space policy.

In a monitoring report regarding the sustainable development goals published on 28th June Eurostat notes that the Union has made progress over the last five years towards most of the 17 sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030 as defined the UN. Most progress has be made in the areas of the "good health and well-being", "no poverty" and "decent work and economic growth".

On 27th June the Industry 2030 round table introduced in December 2017 which brings together unions, employers and experts in view of preparing Europe's industrial strategy, presented its report on the future of the European industry by 2030 to the European Commission. This report presents a vision of Europe's industry as a leader in the international arena in terms of innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation. It provides suggestions to develop a long-term industrial strategy: working to counter climate change; stepping up the transition towards green industry; highlighting innovation and strengthening the Union's competitiveness.

The Opera Festival that has taken place yearly since 1973 in the Roman amphitheatre of Verona is taking place until 7th September. The arena is turned into the world's biggest open air opera stage (10,000 places) and offers amongst others a programme of adaptations from the Traviata, Aïda, Carmen, the Trouvère and Tosca.