In this year of the renewal of the European Institutions, the "Schuman Report on the State of the Union 2019" is necessary more than ever before to understand the state of the Union and its chances of winning greater independence and weight on the international stage, thanks to the dependencies it will create amongst its Member States. The Report includes contributions from top experts and contains 33 original maps that summarise the main European challenges and a unique set of commented statistics. Order your copy now!

For a better understanding of the Union and its institutions that are now being renewed, 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.

The new European Parliament, elected during on 23rd-26th May met for the first time on 2nd July. It elected its new President, David Sassoli and bureau (14 Vice-Presidents and 5 Quaestors) and the bureaus of the Parliamentary Committees. You can consult our special internet site for the names of the 7 political groups to which the 751 MEPs belong and with whom they will sit until 2024, the name of the chairs and vice-chairs of the political groups and the most recent news regarding the establishment of the parliamentary committees and the election of the Presidency of the European Commission.

On 17th July the Commission announced the launch of an investigation regarding a possible anti-competitive behaviour on the part of Amazon. The assessment procedure will target more precisely the use by Amazon of independent retailer data and whether this infringes the Union's competition law. Amazon sells products on its internet site and also provides independent retailers with a market place on which they can sell their products directly. The Commission will assess the agreements concluded between Amazaon and the retailers to ensure that they are not distorting competition or that Amazon is not in an abusive dominant position.

On 18th July the Commission inflicted a fine of 242 million € on Qualcomm for its abuse of dominant position. The Commission's investigation established that the American company, leader on the world 3G broadband chipset market, had abused its position by practising "predatory pricing", i.e. by selling its products below market cost prices with the aim of eliminating its main competitor, Icera.

In line with the recommendation made by the Commission regarding a common approach in terms of 5G network security, 24 Member States submitted their national risk assessment said the Commission on 19th July. These assessments focus on the main threats and the main players which will impact 5G networks and the degree of sensitivity of the 5G network components. The next phase, an assessment of the risks Europewide, will be undertaken by the Commission and the European Cybersecurity Agency -ENISA - by October 1st.

MEPs debated the priorities of the Finnish Presidency of the Council with Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne and the Vice-President of the Commission Jyrki Katainen on 17th July. Antti Rinne presented the Finnish Presidency's priorities: leadership in terms of the climate, common values, rule of law, competitiveness and social inclusion, global security. MEPs welcomed the choice of these themes and called for a solution regarding the Union's long term budget. They also hoped for increased cooperation regarding migration, the common agricultural policy and greater transparency.

On 16th July MEPs elected Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission, 383 votes in support, 327 against and 22 abstentions, i.e. slightly more than the absolute majority of 374 votes she needed to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker. Presently the German Defence Minister she will be the first woman to occupy this post. She enters office on 1st November for a mandate of five years. In a speech delivered in the morning to the hemicycle of Strasbourg the candidate suggested including in the law the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, to launch an investment plan for energy transition and to establish a carbon tax. She called for the completion of the capital union, a minimum wage and unemployment insurance. She announced additional instruments to defend the rule of law in the Union. She recalled the need to strengthen the external and defence policy as well as the migratory and asylum policy. She promised to appoint a strictly gender equal Commission.

On 16th July during the plenary session of the European Parliament MEPs debated the results of the outgoing Romanian presidency of the Council (1st January to 30th June 2019). Romania defined the priorities of its presidency as cohesion and common values, security and the strengthening of Europe as a world player. MEPs welcomed the progress made in many areas and the finalisation of 90 legislative dossier before the end of the 8th legislature of the European Parliament. Finland succeeded Romania in the rotating presidency of the Council on 1st July 2019.

On 18th July the European Parliament renewed its support to the candidature of Romanian, Laura Codruţa Kövesi as Europe's Chief Prosecutor. During the previous legislature the Committee for Civil Liberties and the Committee for Budgetary Control voted in support of Laura Codruţa Kövesi. The Chief Prosecutor will be appointed according to joint agreement by the Parliament and the Council. The other candidate running is Frenchman Jean-François Bohnert, who might withdraw from the race in support of Ms Codruţa Kövesi.

Europe's Interior and Justice Ministers met informally on 18th and 19th July to address the issue of the rule of law and the defence of common values. They discussed judicial cooperation between Member States and the need to strengthen it, as well as over crowding in prisons and alternative sentences to prison. They discussed the possibilities of strengthening operational cooperation between the forces of order and those which control the borders. Ministers also took part in the first exercise by the Finnish Presidency regarding the fight to counter hybrid threats.

The 17th EU-Canada Summit took place on 17th and 18th July in Montreal, Canada. Justin Trudeau, Canada's Prime Minister and Donald Tusk, President of the European Council adopted a joint declaration in which they asserted that the EU-Canada partnership was based on common values like democracy and Human Rights. The declaration also includes the CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement) and maintains that it has led to an increase in trade in many areas. Finally, the declaration stresses the need to continue to counter climate change.

The members of the new government of the Region of Brussels Capital were sworn in before King Philippe on 18th July and won the approval of the Brussels' Parliament on 20th July. The regional executive that was elected during the vote on 26th May and led by French-speaking socialist Rudi Vervoort is a coalition of socialists, ecologists, centrists and liberals (PS-Ecolo-DéFI-Groen-Sp.A-Open VLD). It includes five men and three women, of whom six are new members.

Fourteen EU Member States, which met in Paris on 22nd July gave their agreement in principle to a solidarity mechanism for the distribution of migrants. French President Emmanuel Macron declared that 8 of them said that they intended to take part actively (France, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Lithuania, Croatia and Ireland). The names of the six other countries which are interested in the distribution mechanism were not revealed.

According to forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the British official institution responsible for economic and budgetary forecasting, published on 18th July "the UK will enter into recession in the fourth quarter of 2019, for a year" in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and the "GDP will decrease by 2.1%". The pound sterling will also collapse immediately by 10% after the departure from the EU on 31st October if there is no agreement says the OBR.

Euro zone goods exports to the rest of the world lay at 203.4 billion € in May 2019, in contrast to 189.9 billion € in May 2018, i.e. an increase of 7.1% according to figures published by Eurostat on 16th July. Imports totalled 180.3 billion €, in contrast to 173 billion € in May 2018, i.e. an increase of 4.2%. Hence in May 2019 the euro zone recorded a surplus of 23 billion € in its international goods trade. Regarding the EU28 exports lay at 178.5 billion € in May 2019, up by 10.7%. Imports for their part lay at 170.7 billion €, up by 6.1%. EU28 recorded a surplus of 7.8 billion € in contrast to 0.4 billion in May 2018.

The public debt recorded an increase in the first quarter and represented 85.9% of the GDP in the euro zone and 80.7% in the European Union, according to figures published by Eurostat on 18th July. The public deficit decreased in the first quarter. It represents 0.5% of the GDP in the euro zone and 0.6% of the GDP in the EU.

The European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), the Commission's think-tank, published a report on 18th July entitled "Rethinking Strategy Autonomy in the Digital Era". The report studies the phenomenon of the geo-politicisation of technology which typifies the 21st century and implies a change in paradigm as far as strategic autonomy is concerned. Monitoring digital technologies is now vital if we are to exercise influence over societies and the EU must play a leading role in the technological area if it is to defend its interests.

The international music festival of Český Krumlov, a city that is classed as UNESCO World Heritage is presenting many artists from the world of opera, jazz, classical music and folklore until 10th August in the unique venue of the castle.

From 26th July to 4th August the International Organ Festival, one of the oldest music festivals in Estonia is offering many concerts in different parts of Tallinn.

From 2nd to 26th August the Edinburgh International Festival is taking place. Many musical, theatrical, choreographic and lyrical events are on the programme.

From 7th to 13th August the Sziget Festival, one of the biggest music events in Europe, is taking place in Budapest promoting the theme of diversity via music. This event, that offers audiences more than 1000 shows is hosting some major names, but also comedians, dance and circus troupes.

In the park of the Florans castle the 39th piano festival of La Roque-d'Anthéron is offering audiences concertos, piano recitals and also jazz concerts and chamber music until 18th August.

Until 31st August the Salzburg Festival, dedicated to the lyrical arts, is taking place in Austria. From opera to theatre, the festival brings many classics to the stage, with amongst others Idomeneo by Mozart and Salomé by Richard Strauss.