Despite 30 hours of negotiations to find a compromise, the 27 EU leaders were unable to agree on the new multiannual financial framework on 20 and 21 February, due to major disagreements between some contributor countries and several recipient countries. "It was not possible to reach an agreement. We need more time," said Charles Michel, President of the European Council. However, no date has been put forward for a new summit.

On 19 February, the Commission presented its Digital Agenda, in which it envisages the establishment of a single European area for the exchange of industrial and commercial data and announced a regulatory framework on the use of data. In a White Paper on Artificial Intelligence focusing on excellence and trust, it examines ways to encourage and regulate the use of this technology, including the development of public-private partnerships and new legislation to ensure respect for fundamental rights.

On 24 February, the Commission announced the release of €232 million to tackle the COVID-19 virus, part of which will be allocated immediately. Half of the money will support the World Health Organisation's (WHO) global preparedness and response plan, with the aim of targeting the most vulnerable countries, while €100 million will be used to fund research for a vaccine. The Commission is coordinating and partly financing the repatriation of Europeans from China, the original source of the outbreak.

On 20 February, the Ministers of Education asked to be more involved in the European Semester procedure. They discussed how to attract talent while ensuring a balanced movement of people. They also discussed the theme of green and sustainable education.

On 24 February, the European Central Bank launched its consultation campaign to "listen to the expectations and concerns" of the public on how monetary policy in the euro area should be conducted. "We want to hear the views, expectations and concerns of the public with an open mind," said ECB President Christine Lagarde. The institution will publish an online vademecum of the strategy review and a web form that citizens can use until 24 April.

CDU Chair Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer will relinquish her post after an extraordinary congress on 25 April. The CDU representatives accelerated the replacement process on 24 February in view of the current difficulties. The party suffered a setback in Hamburg and is struggling to find a way out of the crisis in Thuringia.

In a report on the Belgian economy published on 20 February, the IMF stresses that despite a low unemployment rate, Belgium needs to resume reforms to consolidate public finances and cope with an ageing population. It also calls for Belgium to meet its commitments on climate change.

The finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 countries met on 22 and 23 February in Riyadh. They discussed the global economic situation, in particular climate change and the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic. They also took part in a symposium on taking account of the digital economy in international corporate taxation.

According to a report by the Dutch Foreign Investment Agency published on 19 February, 140 British companies have chosen to relocate to the Netherlands since the referendum on withdrawal from the Union in 2016, 78 of which took this decision in 2019. The agency estimates that these companies could create more than 4,200 direct jobs and generate €375 million in investment in the first 3 years.

The Expert Commission for Research and Innovation (EFI) submitted its 13th annual report to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 19 February. The report focuses on three main areas: East Germany as a location for innovation 30 years after reunification, cybersecurity and the exchange of knowledge and technology between Germany and China.

On 19 February, at the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm, participants expressed concern that 1.35 million people die in road crashes every year and that more than 90% of crashes occur in low- and middle-income countries. In a joint declaration, they committed to work towards a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths between 2020 and 2030, to improve vehicle safety and to improve access to emergency care.

Until May 3, the Canal Foundation, in collaboration with the Rodin Museum, invites you to discover another facet of the creator of the famous Thinker, Auguste Rodin. Comprising more than 91 works, including numerous drawings, the exhibition provides a better understanding of the artist's creative process.

The 70th Berlinale, the Berlin Film Festival, is taking place until March 1. The British actor Jeremy Irons is chairing the jury. 18 films are in competition, 343 films are presented in all sections.

Until 24 May, the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt is presenting for the first time an exhibition devoted to women's contribution to surrealism. Around 260 paintings, works on paper, sculptures, photographs and films by 34 international women artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Leonora Carrington, Meret Oppenheim and Frida Kahlo are on show.