The 2020 edition of the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union", a reference work for European decision-makers, is available in electronic version. With contributions from leading personalities and experts, original maps and annotated statistics, it offers a comprehensive view of the European Union and analyses the challenges facing Europe.

Faced with the pandemic of coronavirus, the European Union has deployed the various means at its disposal and must now organise the deconfinement and resumption of social and economic activities. The Foundation offers you a summary of all the measures taken at national and European level, which is updated regularly.

On 14 May, the President of the Italian Council Giuseppe Conte announced a new €55 billion plan to support the economy, including tax rebates and aid to the tourism sector. On 18 May, Italy will move on to a new stage of de-confinement, with, in particular, the reopening of museums, hairdressing salons, bars and restaurants under the condition of strict compliance with health barrier measures. The country plans to reopen its borders on 3 June.

The French government announced on 14 May an €18 billion support plan for the tourism sector and measures for the wine industry. In the United Kingdom, employees most affected by the health crisis will continue to receive 80% of their salaries until the end of October. Irish companies are following their roadmap for recovery from 18 May onwards. In Austria, the government has put in place a €500 million tavern package to support the national gastronomy, including tax breaks and incentives to consume local products. In Spain, the ERTE scheme, aimed at businesses and the self-employed, has been extended until 30 June. It comprises, among other things, tax exemptions.

On 14 May, the French government announced a €18 billion support plan for the tourism sector and measures for the wine industry. In the United Kingdom, employees most affected by the health crisis will continue to receive 80% of their salaries until the end of October. Irish companies are following their roadmap for recovery from 18 May. In Austria, the government has introduced a €500 million tavern package to support the national restaurant industry, including tax breaks and incentives to consume local products. In Spain, the ERTE scheme for businesses and the self-employed to finance short-time working measures has been extended until 30 June.

On 12 May, health ministers discussed the safety of access to medicines, in particular through the early detection of shortages and increased production in the Union. They also stressed the importance of their accessibility and of guaranteeing their prices.

On 13 May, the Commission presented its guidelines for the lifting of travel restrictions and the restoration of free movement, which should be based on three criteria: the epidemiological situation, the ability to maintain distance during travel, and the socio-economic situation. The resumption of transport services will depend on the ability to ensure the safety of employees and customers.

On 13 May the Agriculture Ministers discussed the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Union to combat the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on agriculture. They identified sectors in difficulty such as dairy, veal, beef, poultry and wine. The ministers also called for the establishment of a "solid" budget for the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020.

The Council definitively adopted the SURE programme on 19 May. This €100 billion programme will provide loans to Member States to help them finance their programmes for short-time working, self-employed workers and the health sector. It will be financed by loans from the Commission, guaranteed to the tune of €25 billion by the Member States. The loans will be granted on a proposal from the Commission and will have to be voted on by the Council. SURE will become active once all the Member States have issued their guarantees, and until 31 December 2022.

On 15 May, the ministers responsible for competitiveness discussed the plan for emerging from the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, focusing on four aspects: the single market, investments, global action and good governance. They also noted the need to reduce Europe's industrial dependence on third countries and encouraged green transition and digital transformation. The automotive industry, tourism and aerospace have been identified as sectors particularly affected by the crisis.

On 15 May the Eurogroup discussed the economic outlook for the euro area and the economic response to the coronavirus. Finance ministers welcomed the swift implementation of emergency measures such as the SURE programme for short-time working and agreed on the need for a temporary, targeted and proportionate recovery plan to support the countries most affected by the pandemic.

In an open letter to the Presidents of the European Commission, Parliament and Council, more than 80 CEOs and local elected representatives called on 13 May for local public transport to be included among the sectors covered by the EU recovery plan. They stressed that the sector, which could lose €40 billion in revenue by the end of the year, is "a key accelerator for the economy, job creation, social inclusion, health and sustainable development".

On 18 May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a joint proposal for the economic recovery of the Union with a €500 billion Recovery Fund for the sectors and regions most affected by the coronavirus crisis and integrated into the Union's multiannual budget. They also propose a European approach based on strategic health sovereignty to prepare for future crises and stress the need to accelerate the climate and digital transitions. The Commission is due to finalise its recovery plan on 27 May.

On 18 May, the Ministers of Education discussed their respective plans to reopen schools, the health and organisational measures put in place to enable them to reopen, the adjustments made to examinations and admission to higher education, the conditions for the resumption of studies for the next academic year, as well as international exchanges. These discussions will be used to draw up Council conclusions on the adaptation of education systems to the pandemic.

On 13 May MEPs rejected a draft decision on the exchange of fingerprints with the UK until 31 December 2020. On the one hand, MEPs believe that the UK does not offer enough data protection guarantees: there is no indication that they will comply with EU standards after the transition period. On the other they note a lack of reciprocity, as the UK will not share the fingerprints of suspects, unlike EU participants.

On 13 May MEPs finally adopted a regulation on tyre labelling designed to raise consumer awareness of fuel economy, safety and noise caused by land vehicles, by indicating fuel efficiency, grip, noise and, where possible, mileage and tyre abrasion level. This measure is expected to save tyre producers €9 billion and avoid the release of 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

On 14 May MEPs gave their final approval to a regulation on water reuse, which aims to ensure wider use of urban waste water and water treated in recycling plants for agricultural irrigation. The legislation lays down minimum quality requirements for the reuse of such water. This will, among other things, limit the over-exploitation of groundwater in many European countries facing water shortages, particularly in times of heat waves.

According to the annual report of the European Centre for the Fight against the Smuggling of Migrants, published by Europol on 15 May, smugglers and criminals are finding new ways to abuse the vulnerability of undocumented migrants wishing to enter Europe with the tightened border controls and closures due to the coronavirus. There is a shift in smuggling activities from air to land and sea routes (small boats, cargo vehicles). Sexual exploitation could also increase.

Eurostat announced on 15 May that the Union's GDP fell by 3.3% and that of the euro zone by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2020, the largest drop since 1995. This decline in GDP has resulted in a 0.2% reduction in employment compared to the last quarter of 2019.

The Lowry Cultural Centre in Manchester provides online resources and activities on many artistic disciplines such as dance, digital art, theatre and circus.

The Berlinische Galerie, which houses a collection of works of art from 1870 to the present day, has reopened its doors in Berlin. It is now possible to visit the exhibition devoted to the photographer Umbo from 1926-1956.

The National Museum of Archaeology of Tarragona and the adjacent ancient Roman site, classified by Unesco, are visible online, modelled in three dimensions.

The Fine Arts Museum of Agen reopened its doors on 13 May. It is now possible to visit its permanent collection of more than 3,000 objects, including masterpieces by artists such as Tintoretto, Boudin, Goya and Corot.