The Council of Europe suspended its relations with Belarus on 17 March. The Committee of Ministers also suspended its technical co-operation with the country and its right to participate in all Council of Europe meetings and activities. To follow the latest developments in the crisis sparked by the rigged presidential election of August 2020 and the repression of the democratic opposition, the Foundation offers you a chronology of events.

For a better understanding of Europe in 2022, the Permanent Atlas of the European Union, published by Marie B Editions, is a unique work that offers a complete and easy-to-access view of the European Union, the euro zone and each of its 27 Member States, with numerous maps. It is available in English in digital version.

On 25 March, the Joseph Károlyi Foundation is organising an international seminar on the subject of "European Education(s)" as part of the French Presidency of the European Union. The seminar, in which the Foundation is a partner, is being held in Budapest with speakers from various European countries. Please register via the link for the event.

European countries are relaxing their anti-Covid health measures: in the Netherlands since 15 March indoor and outdoor areas are open and no longer subject to restrictions, and from 23 March it will no longer be compulsory to wear a mask on public transport. In Bulgaria, as of 21 March, the health pass has been suspended and masks are no longer required. Most restrictions were lifted in Slovakia on 14 March, with the exception of FFP2 masks in enclosed areas. To follow developments and find out what measures are in place in the Member States, the Foundation provides a comprehensive map of the measures in place. An essential, regularly updated resource...

The Ukrainian and Moldovan electricity grids were connected to the European network on 16 March. This synchronisation facilitates exchanges between countries and helps to solve electricity supply problems. Ukraine was linked to the Russian grid until the invasion on 24 February. "Ukraine has become a member of the European energy union," said President Volodomyr Zelensky.

At an extraordinary meeting on 16 March, the Committee of Ministers decided, under the procedure initiated under Article 8 of the Council of Europe's Statute, that Russia cease to be a member of the Council of Europe as of 16 March, 26 years after its accession. Following this decision, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decided to suspend the examination of all applications against Russia pending consideration of the legal consequences of the Committee of Ministers' Resolution on the Court's work.

On 16 March, the IMF warned that the war in Ukraine could have a significant impact on the global economy, causing a significant decline in growth and an acceleration of inflation, including through higher commodity prices, disruption of trade and supply chains, and a historic increase in refugee flows. While oil import-dependent economies risk increased budget and trade deficits, European governments could also face additional budgetary pressures due to spending on energy security and defence.

On 16 March, the International Court of Justice called on Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine and to ensure that no unit "which might be acting under its direction or support" takes further military action. Following an application by Kyiv against Russian allegations of genocide on Ukrainian territory, used to justify the invasion, the Court said it was not in possession of evidence to justify Moscow's claims. The decision was taken almost unanimously. Only Russia and China voted against.

On 17 March, the OECD published the first assessment of the impact of the war in Ukraine on the economy. According to the organisation, global economic growth could be more than 1% lower than projected before the conflict, as much as 1.4 for the Eurozone and 0.88 for the US. Inflation could be at least 2.5 percentage points higher globally. According to the same assessment, fiscal measures of about 0.5% of GDP could mitigate the economic impact of the war without increasing inflation.

On 17 March, the heads of international financial institutions including the EBRD, EIB, CEB, IMF and World Bank issued a joint statement on their responses to the war in Ukraine. Among other things, the EBRD authorised €2 billion to meet the immediate needs of Ukrainians and the EIB solidarity financing of €2 billion, including €668 million in cash. The IMF approved $1.4 billion in emergency financing. The total amount of aid mobilised by the World Bank for Ukraine now stands at over $925 million.

The European Commission published on 18 March guidelines for the proper implementation of the Directive providing temporary protection to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. They provide Member States with details of the conditions for such protection and encourage them to extend it to persons who do not meet all the criteria. On 16 March, the Council approved a legislative proposal that will mobilise funds under cohesion policy to help refugees fleeing Russian military aggression.

On 20 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Israeli Knesset and asked why Israel had not supplied arms to Ukraine or imposed sanctions on Russia. On 17 March, he addressed the Bundestag in a video conference in which he urged Germany to tear down what he called a "wall" erected in Europe against freedom. The day before, he had addressed the US Congress where he reiterated the demand for a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Following his speech, US President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in aid. On 15 March, Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Canadian Parliament.

The UN warned on 18 March of the humanitarian needs in the besieged cities, as 3.3 million people have fled the country and more than 2 million are internally displaced. Humanitarian cargo is pre-positioned in Sumy to help, among other things, the 200,000 people without access to water around Donestk and the 100,000 families without electricity in the Luhansk region. The World Food Programme (WFP) has also pre-positioned food and food rations near besieged towns such as Mariupol where "humanitarian aid has been virtually not allowed in". According to the WHO, health care, directly targeted by the attacks, is suffering from shortages of medical supplies.

The Heads of State and Government and Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) have condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. In a statement on 15 March, the G7 strongly endorsed the seven pillars presented by the IAEA Director General to agree on a framework for the safety and security of nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes in Ukraine. In addition, in a video conference on 17 March, in which the European Union High Representative participated, G7 Ministers demanded that Russia comply with the International Court of Justice's request to immediately halt the assault on Ukraine. They stated that the G7 and its allies are ready to increase pressure against Russia and to increase aid to Ukraine.

The Commission proposed on 16 March amendments to the Central Securities Depositories (CSD) Regulation to reduce compliance costs and regulatory burdens on CSDs by improving their passport regime. It aims to help them offer more banking services across national borders. The aim is to make securities settlement in the EU safer and more efficient, thereby increasing the attractiveness of capital markets and thus contributing to the financing of the economy.

On 15 March, the Ministers of Economy and Finance discussed the state of implementation of the sanctions against Russia. They reached an agreement on the regulation of the border carbon adjustment mechanism that aims to prevent carbon leakage and encourage states to introduce pricing policies. The mechanism, which is intended to operate in parallel with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), aims to discourage Member States from importing carbon-intensive products. Its governance will be centralised through the creation of the new registry of registrants.

On 14 March, the 19 Finance Ministers of the euro area agreed on the need to maintain cooperative and flexible fiscal policies in the light of recent events. They agreed on the introduction of a gradual, state-specific fiscal adjustment to reduce the highest public debts, while encouraging investment and reform in the medium term. In addition, the Ministers promised to urgently examine concrete solutions, in line with the Commission's communication on the coordination of budgetary policies for 2023, to deal with the rise in energy prices.

On 14 March, Parliament and Council negotiators adopted a common position on the international instrument on public procurement aimed at creating a level playing field between players. The instrument will encourage the opening of public procurement markets to European economic operators and introduce measures limiting access to EU public tenders for non-European players from countries where the conditions of access are not similar to those of European companies. In addition, negotiators have ensured that economic actors from the least developed states are exempted from the instrument's measures.

The Council adopted its position on 17 March regarding the new battery regulation by introducing stricter waste management requirements in particular for batteries for light means of transport. It extends the scope of the regulation to batteries for electric vehicles and ready-to-use battery models. The position ensures a right of initiative for Member States to propose restrictions on the presence of hazardous substances in batteries.

On 16 March, the French Senate published its motion for a European resolution on the "Adjustment to the fit for 55" package, presented on 14 July 2021 by the European Commission. The Senate supports the objectives of the package, while emphasizing the issue of the social, economic and territorial acceptability of the climate transition.

On 15 March, the American semiconductor company Intel unveiled a €33 billion investment plan in Europe, which could reach €80 billion over ten years. It is making the European Union the new nerve centre of its production, with the installation of a "mega manufacturing site" in Magdeburg in Germany, as well as the doubling of the Leixlip site in Ireland and the creation of an R&D centre in Saclay in France. Other investments are also planned in Spain, Italy and Poland.

On 15 March, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Poland following the dismissal, without appeal, of a member of Poland's National Judicial Council. Denouncing Poland's 2017 judicial reform which ended the terms of office of judges on the National Judicial Council elected under the old system, the European judges concluded that this interruption of office violated the right of access to the court. Poland was ordered to pay €30,000 to the dismissed judge.

On 21 March the Turkish court decided that Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and philanthropist, detained since 2017 without trial, will remain in prison. Charged with "attempting to overthrow" the government he will appear in court again on 22 April. Despite threats of sanctions from the Council of Europe, Osman Kavala faces life imprisonment.

Since 2013, the United Nations (UN) has celebrated the International Day of Happiness on 20 March. On this occasion, the UN calls for "broader, more equitable and balanced economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, and the happiness and well-being of all people". This year, the International Day of Happiness celebrates its tenth anniversary. The World Happiness Report 2022 ranks Finland, Denmark and Iceland as the happiest countries.

Until 8 May, the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam is presenting the exhibition "William Van de Velde & Zoon", which traces the work of the famous 17th-century painter and his son. Both artists were active in important battles at sea and are renowned for having perfected their art close to the action.

Until 27 March, a jazz festival is taking place in Aberdeen, Scotland. This major event will feature over 100 international artists. Concerts will be held all over the city and there will be the opportunity to participate in musical workshops.

From 24 March to 3 April, Vilnius is hosting the Kino Pavasaris festival, where around 100 international films, documentaries and shorts will be shown. In addition to the screenings, there will be debates and workshops. On the 23rd, the eve of the festival, there will be a Ukrainian Film Day. All proceeds will be donated to the Ukraine support fund.

Until 27 June, the Eugène Delacroix Museum in Paris is hosting the exhibition Delacroix and Nature. Tracing the unique link between the painter and this central element of his work, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, through rare landscapes and animals painted by Eugène Delacroix.

In Europe, the world of culture is showing its solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Many opera houses, such as the Berlin Philharmonic or the São Carlos National Theatre in Lisbon, are organising concerts to support the victims of the war in Ukraine. Concerts for peace will take place at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on 27 March and at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 4 April. The film world is also mobilising against the war, and cultural festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Biennale have closed their doors to "anyone linked to the Russian government".

The Ludwig Museum in Budapest is presenting its new acquisitions of works from the neo-avant-garde movements of the Pécs workshop and the Bosch group and Bosch of Vojvodina until 24 April. Numerous themes such as historical memory, self-portraiture and the place of the artist in society are explored during the exhibition.

The city of Berlin is hosting the contemporary music festival MaerzMusik until 27 March. Seeking to explore the concept of time and its relationship to art and life, it offers concerts, performances, installations, film presentations and discussions throughout the German capital.

From 25 March to 11 September, the Helsinki Museum of Fine Arts (HAM) is presenting an exhibition on dance and the visual arts. It features works from the collections of Finnish museums from 1880 to the present day.

The Foundation for Visual Arts B. M. Theocharakis is honouring the surrealist painter Nikos Engonopoulos with an exhibition of 148 works by the artist. The works, on loan from art galleries, foundations and private collections, are on display until 19 June.

The gallery of the National Opera in Warsaw is presenting an exhibition on Jarosław Modzelewski until 17 April. The founder of the Gruppa art movement is honoured in this exhibition, which reviews the various themes that influenced his works.

From 23 March to 29 August, the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid is presenting the exhibition "From Posada to Isotype, from Kollwitz to Catlett", which explores printed modes of communication considered obsolete in the age of technology, such as woodcuts, linocuts and lithography. The exhibition focuses on the major figures of printmaking at the end of the 19th century, German expressionism, the Gráfica Popular print workshop in Mexico and the "Isotype" project.