This week's European news

Letter n°1078 of Tuesday 10^th September 2024

Cyprus: 20 years of membership of the European Union, between singularities and a theatre of geopolitical oppositions.

Maria-Christina Sotiropoulou - 10 Sep 2024

Fifty years after the partition of the island of Cyprus, this study focuses on the specific characteristics of this Member State of the European Union and the lessons to be learned for the future. At a time when enlargement to include new states with still disputed border demarcations is being considered, it is necessary to revisit the Cyprus question, as the definitive position of the northern part of the island in relation to the European Union remains ambiguous.

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■ Front page! :

Pay careful attention to Draghi

'While it is clearly necessary for some in Europe to cut back on operating expenditure, new debt is essential to revive investment, which is a prerequisite for a return to growth, for European industry to stay in the race against the United States and China, for the single market to benefit more from domestic consumption and thus support household purchasing power, whose stagnation feeds the extremes'. With the former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, due to unveil his report on competitiveness, commissioned by the European Commission, Jean-Dominique Giuliani offers his analysis of the future of the European economy. Read more

■ Elections :

Legislative elections in Austria 29 September

Austrians are due to cast their votes on 29 September to renew the 183 members of the National Council (Nationalrat), the lower house of parliament. The latest opinion poll carried out at the beginning of September by the Market-Lazarsfeld institute credits the far-right party (FPÖ) with 28% of the vote, ahead of the People's Party (ÖVP, 26%, and the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), 20%. NEOS-New Austria is credited with 10%, the Greens-Green Alternative (DG) with 7%. Two other parties may enter the National Council: the Beer Party, with 4%, and the Communist Party, with 3%. The personality of the leader of the FPÖ is very divisive and could pose a problem for the formation of a government coalition. Read more

■ Foundation :

Europe's impact on the French economy

The Ordre des experts-comptables and the Grand Est region are organising the General Assemblies of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 12 and 13 September. To mark the occasion, a conference on the impact of Europe on the French economy will be held on 12 September, in the presence of Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est region, Grégoire Chauvière Le Drian, Director of the European Investment Bank France, and Pascale Joannin, Managing Director of the Robert Schuman Foundation. Read more

Learn everything you need to know about the new European Parliament

In the European elections held from 6 to 9 June, Europeans elected 720 Members of the European Parliament for the next five years, who took up their duties on 16 July. The Foundation has set up a website to find out who was elected and what the Parliament is made up of, in particular the committees appointed on 23 July, whose first task will be to audition the prospective Commissioners. Read more

Publication of the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2024".

Autumn is here. In the 'Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2024', eminent representatives from the worlds of politics, business, research and diplomacy paint a portrait of a Union that is tracing the contours of environmental and digital sovereignty and projecting itself into a new geopolitical era, full of new challenges, particularly for its industry and defence. The book is available in English and French, in paper and digital versions. Order your copy here! Read more - Other link

■ Commission :

Composition of the future European Commission

Following the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as head of the European Commission on 18 July, each Member State, with the exception of Germany, had until 31 August to officially nominate a candidate. The President must now indicate how she wishes to organise her Commission and allocate portfolios. The Commissioners-designate will then be heard by the European Parliament. To date, only 9 countries have put forward a female candidate, compared with 13 during the previous term. Under pressure from the President for greater parity, the candidate chosen by Slovenia withdrew on 6 September. A woman was proposed on 9 September. Bulgaria has also put forward two candidates, including one woman, bringing the total number of women in the new Commission to 10 or 11. The Parliament will have to confirm the candidates put forward in a simple majority vote in October. The new Commission is due to take office at the beginning of November. Read more

The future of European competitiveness

On 9 September, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi presented a report on European competitiveness that should influence the economic policies of the new Commission. To improve its competitiveness and close the 'gap' with the United States, the European Union should 'continue to issue common debt instruments to finance common investment projects'. Read more

■ Diplomacy :

Towards implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Kenya

The European Commission and Kenya issued a joint statement on 6 September on the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which marks an important milestone in relations between the two parties by boosting bilateral trade in goods, diversifying exports through the creation of new value chains, stimulating investment flows and strengthening economic relations between the two partners in a sustainable manner. Read more

■ European Agencies :

The launch of the Vega rocket

The Vega rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou on 4 September carrying the Sentinel-2-C satellite for Europe's Copernicus Earth observation programme. Two months after the lift-off of the Ariane 6 rocket, Europe has confirmed its return to space sovereignty. Read more

■ Bulgaria :

New legislative elections on 27 October

On 27 August, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced new early parliamentary elections for 27 October, the 7th in three years. Plunged into a political crisis since 2020, Bulgaria has been unable to establish a stable political coalition since the parliamentary elections of April 2021. Read more

■ France :

Michel Barnier, appointed Prime Minister

Michel Barnier, former European Commissioner, was appointed Prime Minister on 5 September by French President Emmanuel Macron. Two months after the parliamentary elections, Michel Barnier, 73, from the ranks of the Republicans, now has the task of forming a coalition government. Read more

■ Ireland :

Visit of the British Prime Minister

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was hosted by his Irish counterpart Simon Harris in Dublin on 7 September. This was the first visit by a British Prime Minister to Ireland for 5 years. The two men expressed their wish to 'reset' relations between the two countries, which have been on the rocks since the Brexit, and to deepen them, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. With this in mind, the two heads of government agreed to hold a UK-Ireland summit next March. Read more - Other link - Other link

■ The Netherlands :

Strengthening of the Defence Policy

Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans presented measures to strengthen defence policy in a White Paper published on 5 September. Among the main measures, he announced a stronger Dutch contribution to NATO, the delivery of additional F-35 aircraft for the air force, new tanks for the army and the navy will receive additional frigates for anti-submarine warfare. The military police will be strengthened and the Ministry of Defence will structurally allocate an additional €260 million to attract and retain personnel. In addition, further investment will be made in innovation and the defence industry to stimulate and support the production of military equipment. Read more

■ Serbia :

Purchase of Rafale fighter planes

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Belgrade on 29 and 30 August, where he met his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vučić. At the end of this meeting, the French head of state announced an agreement for the acquisition of 12 Rafale fighter jets by Serbia, which will be the 3rd European country, after Greece and Croatia, to acquire this fighter aircraft. Read more

■ Ukraine :

Government reshuffle

The Ukrainian Parliament accepted the resignations of several ministers on 5 September and approved nine new ministers. This is the biggest reshuffle of the Ukrainian government since the start of the war in February 2022. A new foreign minister has been appointed, following the resignation of Dmytro Kuleba. Andrii Sybiha, former deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet, has taken over the post. Oleksiy Kuléba, former deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister in charge of reconstruction, regions and infrastructures. Read more - Other link

Humanitarian aid in preparation for winter

On 6 September, the European Commission announced an additional €40 million in humanitarian support from the European Union to help Ukraine prepare for winter. In view of the continuing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the European Union is stepping up its funding to repair damaged buildings, guarantee the supply of electricity and heating and provide shelter for those who need it most. Read more

Agreement with Ireland

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris signed a bilateral agreement on 5 September to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Ireland has undertaken to supply mine clearance systems and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, and to help train the Ukrainian armed forces. Humanitarian aid will also be provided. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Ireland has already provided around €380 million in support to Ukraine. Read more - Other link

■ Eurostat :

Drop in inflation and unemployment

Annual inflation in the eurozone stood at 2.2% in August, its lowest level since July 2021, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat on 30 August. Inflation continues to fall and is approaching the 2% level recommended by the European Central Bank. The unemployment rate has also fallen. It stands at 6% in the European Union and 6.4% in the eurozone, a historically low record according to Eurostat. Read more - Other link

■ Studies/Reports :

Final report on the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was presented with the final report of the 'Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture' on 4 September. Launched in January 2024, the Strategic Dialogue is a forum for putting forward suggestions for the future of European agriculture. The report's recommendations are structured around five pillars that will underpin the work of the European Commission as it draws up its vision for agriculture and food, which is due to be presented during the first 100 days of Ursula von der Leyen's second term of office. Read more - Other link

Report on the recovery plan

In a report published on 2 September, the European Court of Auditors expressed concern at the delays in implementing the post-Covid recovery plan. With a budget of nearly €800 billion, this historic project, financed by a joint European loan, aims to help Member States recover from the pandemic. However, less than a third of the budget had been used by the end of 2023, which could compromise its effectiveness, according to the European Court of Auditors. Read more

■ Culture :

Surrealism at the Centre Pompidou in Paris

Until 13 January 2025, the Centre Pompidou in Paris is presenting the 'Surrealism' exhibition. The last exhibition before its temporary closure for renovation, it pays tribute to the Surrealist movement that began in 1924. The exhibition brings together paintings, drawings, films, photographs and literary documents by artists emblematic of the Surrealist movement. Read more

Musical September in Montreux-Vevey

The 78th Septembre Musical festival, the second oldest classical music festival in Switzerland, will run until 13 September, presenting a number of shows in Montreux and Vevey. A concert will be given every evening by the greatest musicians from all over the world. Read more

Van Gogh in London

To mark its 200th anniversary, the National Gallery in London is paying tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. Until 19 January 2025, the paintings and drawings of the Dutch painter are being brought together in this exhibition. It is an opportunity to (re)discover his most famous works, such as 'Starry Night by the Rhone', 'The Yellow House' and 'Sunflowers'. Read more

Berlin Art Week

Berlin Art Week will be held from 11 to 15 September. More than 100 cultural partners, museums, art galleries and fairs are taking part in the event, opening their doors to the public to enable them to discover the latest in contemporary art. Read more

Manifesta 15 in Barcelona

Manifesta 15 is taking place in Barcelona until 24 November. For its 15th edition, numerous projects, interventions, events and discussions are taking place in 12 cities. In all, more than 90 local and international participants are expected. Read more

Homo Faber in Venice

The Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice is holding an exhibition entitled 'Homo Faber 2024: The Journey of Life' until 30 September. The exhibition plunges visitors into the heart of the journey of human life, seen from the perspective of craftsmanship. Hundreds of handmade objects are on display, and there are craft demonstrations, culinary experiences and special tours of Venice's artisan addresses. Read more

50th anniversary of the Deauville Festival

The 50th Deauville American Film Festival will run until 15 September. 108 films are in the official selection, in 8 different categories. Five prizes will be awarded at the end of the festival, including the Grand Prize, the Jury Prize, the Louis Roederer Foundation Revelation Prize, the Critics' Prize, awarded by critics and journalists, and the Deauville Public Prize. Read more

■ Sport :

Results of the Olympic Games

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games came to a close on 8 September, and the European delegations did brilliantly. In total, 309 European medals were won at the Olympic Games, including 97 gold, 95 silver and 117 bronze, and 420 medals, including 126 gold, 125 silver and 169 bronze at the Paralympic Games. Read more - Other link - Other link