The 2021 edition of the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union", a reference work for European decision-makers, has just been published by Marie B. Articles by leading experts and personalities such as Josep Borrell and Margaritis Schinas offer an overview of European achievements and new forms of solidarity in the context of the pandemic, as well as a broad view of Europe's role in the world. It is available in hard copy in bookshops and on our website, and in digital version in English and French. Order it here.

The new edition of the 'Permanent Atlas of the European Union' has been published by Marie B. This book reflects the latest political and economic changes in the European Union and its Member States. With over 50 maps, texts and thematic sheets, the Atlas summarises the essential history and political and statistical realities of the Union. It is available in paper version in French in bookshops and on our website, and in digital version in French and English. Order it here.

The European certificate, designed to facilitate free movement within the Union, came into force on 1 July. In Sweden, masks are no longer recommended on public transport, stadiums can accommodate up to 5,000 people. Discotheques reopen in France on 9 July. Several Member States took measures to counter the variants: on 1 July, Portugal re-established curfews in 45 cities, including Lisbon, and Lithuania re-established a national state of emergency. Portugal, Spain, Poland and Malta are imposing restrictions on travellers from the UK. Germany has tightened controls for travellers from risk areas. To follow developments in the situation and to understand the conditions of entry into the different EU Member States, the Foundation offers you a comprehensive map of the measures in place. An essential, regularly updated resource, to help you understand the situation.

The Foundation organised a video conference with Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth on 28 June. The debate is available in full here.

On 30 June, the Commission launched the Cancer Knowledge Centre, an online platform, which aims to gather, disseminate and harmonise knowledge and data so as to coordinate actions across the EU.

On 28 June, the Commission adopted two adequacy decisions vis-à-vis the UK allowing for a better flow of personal data from the EU. One under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the other under the Directive on data protection in the field of law enforcement. The UK's legal regime for the protection of personal data remained the same as in the EU, which allowed the decisions to be adopted. However, safeguards are provided for if changes occur on the UK side.

On 30 June, the Commission proposed to revise the rules on product safety and consumer credit, with an update of the General Product Safety Regulation to address the risks of these new technological products and a revision of the Consumer Credit Directive.

On 28 June, the Commission made its first payments under NextGenerationEU, amounting to €800 million. 41 national and regional programmes in 16 Member States have been funded under "Supporting Recovery for Europe's Cohesion and Territories" (REACT-EU). On 30 June, the Commission issued €15 billion in bonds to finance NextGenerationEU. After a first issue in June, the Commission has now raised €35 billion and plans to raise a total of €80 billion in 2021.

On 30 June, the Commission presented a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas. It proposes a rural pact and an action plan, which will involve actors at European, national, regional and local levels, with the aim of improving the resilience and prosperity of these areas. By the end of the year, the Commission will liaise with the Committee of the Regions to discuss the way forward to achieve these objectives.

On 30 June, the Commission adopted decisions to support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the EU defence industry. The first annual work programme of the European Defence Fund (EDF) paves the way for the EU to support €1.2 billion in collaborative defence research and development projects. The Commission has selected 26 new projects, with a budget of over €158 million, through the European Defence Industry Development Programme (EDIDP), the precursor to the Defence Fund.

Slovenia began its six-month Presidency of the Council on 1 July by presenting its programme, which has four priorities: facilitating the Union's recovery and greater resilience, reflecting on the future of Europe, strengthening the rule of law and European values, and ensuring security and stability in the European neighbourhood. During the visit of the College of Commissioners, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the need for progress on climate, digital and migration issues, as well as the need to protect the rule of law.

On 1 July, the Council added 11 countries to the list of those for which travel restrictions at external borders can be lifted. These new countries include Canada, Qatar, Armenia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

On 2 July, the Commission and High Representative Josep Borrell presented their proposals for cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries in the coming years. The programme focuses on long-term recovery, resilience and reform, and would be backed by a €2.3 billion economic and investment plan in the form of grants, blended finance and guarantees and up to €17 billion in public and private investment. It aims to boost trade, growth and employment, invest in connectivity, and strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law. Belarus suspended its participation in the Eastern Partnership on 28 June.

On 28 June, the Court of Auditors published a special report on the fight against money laundering in the European banking sector. It notes that there is institutional fragmentation and insufficient coordination at EU level when it comes to preventing money laundering and taking action where risks are detected. It believes that the problem stems in particular from the lack of a single supervisory authority at European level.

Council and Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on 29 June on the transformation of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) into the European Asylum Agency. The agency will provide support for cooperation between Member States and third countries, including a pool of experts ready to assist national structures faced with a high caseload.

On 1 July, the Council adopted its mandate to negotiate with the Parliament on the revision of Europol's rules on cooperation with third countries, the European Public Prosecutor's Office and other parties, as well as on the processing of personal data in support of criminal investigations and on the agency's role in research and innovation.

On 30 June the Commission announced measures on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The transitional period for the shipment of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be extended until 30 September to allow businesses to adapt their supply chains. The Commission also adopted an implementing act to facilitate the movement of livestock and will present a text on the movement of medicines in the autumn. On the same day, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the protocol "conflicts" with the Act of Union, but that it is part of a process of "constitutional evolution" and therefore in accordance with the law.

On 28 June, the Council of Europe published a report which aims to help policy makers develop a comprehensive and balanced approach to the use of automated technologies to detect online child sexual abuse material. Prepared by a group of independent experts, it includes recommendations and calls for the establishment of a "public interest framework", based on the Lanzarote Convention and other Council of Europe conventions, enabling service providers to automatically detect, remove and report relevant content in a way that respects data protection and privacy.

The European Court of Human Rights condemned France on 1 July for disproportionate restrictions on the right of access to court, upholding the claims of associations opposed to a planned radioactive storage facility at the Bure site, one of which had been ruled inadmissible by a court. On the other hand, it rejected the associations' complaint for violation of the right of access to information.

The International Monetary Fund published its conclusions on Hungary's economic response to the Covid-19 crisis on 29 June. It notes that the response of the Hungarian authorities has been particularly strong, but stresses that Hungarian fiscal policy needs to strike a more flexible balance between supporting the economy and preserving medium-term fiscal sustainability. The IMF forecasts GDP growth of 6.2%, unemployment of 4.1% and inflation of 4.1% for 2021.

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is presenting "The Line of Wit" until January 16, 2022, an exhibition that explores the experimental nature of contemporary art through works dating from the 1950s to the present. The exhibition brings together artists from several generations, reflecting the diversity of artistic practices.

Until 10 October, Polish artist Anna Bilinska (1854-1893) is being honoured at the National Museum in Warsaw. The exhibition brings together a large number of paintings and drawings, including unpublished works, from museums and private collections.

The Castello del Buon Consiglio in Trento is presenting the first monographic exhibition dedicated to the Milanese painter Fede Galizia (1578-1630) until 24 October.

The Francofolies de La Rochelle music festival is taking place from 10 to 14 July. Many French artists and musicians will perform on the festival's 9 stages, including Jane Birkin, Alain Souchon, Jeanne Cherhal, Jean-Louis Aubert, les Rita Mitsouko and Grand Corps Malade.

The 74th Cannes Film Festival is being held from 6 to 17 July. 24 films are competing and the jury is chaired by American director Spike Lee. Actress and director Jodie Foster is the special guest of the opening ceremony and will receive a special Palme d'Or.

Avignon is hosting the 75th edition of its theatre festival until 25 July, with no limit on the number of spectators but with health measures in place. More than 100 shows are on offer as part of the off-festival, and the official programme includes a variation on Hamlet by director and festival director Olivier Py.

The National Library of Spain is presenting an exhibition dedicated to Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy until 2 October, on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the poet's death. By means of 10 manuscripts, the exhibition evokes the three parts of this reference text in the thought of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance: Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.

From 7 July to 26 August, the Hôtel des Invalides is organising the 9th edition of the Nuit aux Invalides, which this year celebrates the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death with its new show entitled "Napoleon - The Flight of the Eagle". This performance offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Emperor's life and his civil and military legacy. After the show, the evening can be extended with a night walk in the Dome church.

From 9 July to 5 September, a thematic tour created in partnership with Paris Match in the centre of Ajaccio presents photos of film shoots dedicated to Napoleon, notably with the actors who played the emperor.