In an op-ed published by Ouest France a few days before the end of Brexit's transition period, Jean-Dominique Giuliani stresses that it is a lie to make people believe that peoples and states can free themselves permanently from each other.

As Christmas approaches, the European States have taken new measures to try to strike a balance between the fight against the pandemic and the maintenance of family ties and business activity. At European level, coordination has been set up for tracing and vaccination. The Foundation offers you a summary of the health measures in place and travel conditions across Europe. An indispensable, regularly updated resource for you to understand the situation.

On 15 December, the Commission presented two proposals for the reform of the digital space. The digital services legislation contains binding obligations for platforms, including the removal of illegal content, transparency on micro-targeting and algorithms, and better data cooperation with researchers. The digital markets legislation aims to combat anti-competitive practices and includes rules on the identification of gatekeepers, on certain unfair practices and on collaboration with the Commission. Penalties include fines of up to 6% of turnover and can go as far as banning services in Europe.

On 15 December, MEPs approved additional aid for EU regions to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and its social and health consequences by 654 votes to 23, with 17 abstentions. The REACT-EU aid will be made available through the Structural Funds with €37.5 billion allocated for 2021 and €10 billion for 2022.

On 16 December, the Eurozone Finance Ministers took stock of the economic situation and discussed the outlook. They exchanged views on the reform of the European Stability Mechanism, on the eurozone summit on 11 December and on the Commission's position on the Member States' draft budget plans (PPB). They warned against debt, which is expected to rise from 86% in 2019 to 102% of GDP in 2021. They welcomed the Commission's green light for €200 billion from the EIB for businesses affected by the economic crisis.

The Council decided on 17 December to extend until 31 July 2021 the economic sanctions taken against Russia in 2014 after the annexation of the Crimea. The decision is justified by Russia's incomplete implementation of the Minsk agreements of 11 February 2015.

The European Court of Justice ruled on 17 December that the device to redirect exhaust gases (NOx) from combustion engines into the intake manifold in order to reduce final emissions is contrary to the 2007 European regulation setting limits on the level of NOx emissions. In its judgment, which concerns the "Dieselgate" revealed in 2015, the Court adds that the prevention of engine ageing through this mechanism does not constitute a valid justification.

Austrian Josef Aschbacher, current director of the Copernicus Earth observation programme, was appointed on 17 December as the future Director-General of the Copernicus Earth observation programme.

On 17 December, the National Assembly finalized the adoption of the 2021 finance bill. The text includes numerous measures from the economic recovery plan presented on 3 September last for an amount of €100 billion, notably those aimed at helping companies hard hit by the consequences of the health crisis.

On 21 December, the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Union Save Romania-PLUS (USR-PLUS) and the Magyar Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) sealed an agreement to form a new government following the 6 December elections. They propose Florin Citu, the current Finance Minister, as Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Ludovic Orban (PNL) was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies on 22 December, and the presidency of the Senate goes to the USR-PLUS Alliance. Nine ministries are assigned to the PNL, six to USR-PLUS and three to the UDMR.

In a report published on 15 December, the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on Germany to establish a better structure to prevent conflicts of interest, in particular by extending the waiting period between withdrawing from political life and exercising a profession in the private sector.

The annual report on the Erasmus+ programme, published by the Commission on 16 December, demonstrates that the funds allocated to it are used correctly and efficiently. 3.37 billion has been allocated to the programme, an increase of 20% compared to 2018, enabling 940,000 overseas educational opportunities to be undertaken and funding to be provided to around 25,000 projects and 111,000 organisations. 505 000 students and higher education staff benefited from the programme. The Commission also published a report on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps, which supported 3 750 projects and helped 27 000 young people to take part in voluntary activities.

The Pallant House Gallery in Chichester is hosting the exhibition "Degas to Picasso: International Modern Masters" until April 21, 2021, dedicated to the great artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition features works by 50 artists. Visitors can also see the recently restored painting "Model sitting in an armchair, combing her hair" by Édouard Vuillard.