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Front page! :

Ukraine: the whole world wants peace, except for Putin

The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting and the UN General Assembly meeting highlighted Putin's isolation on the international stage. He is the only obstacle to peace, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani... Read more

Elections :

Victory of the right-wing coalition led by Giorgia Meloni in the parliamentary elections in Italy

The right-wing coalition won the parliamentary elections in Italy on 25 September with 43.82% of the vote. The Fratelli d'Italia party came out ahead with 26.01% and its leader Georgia Meloni is claiming the post of Council President. Its allies, the League and Forza Italia, obtained 8.78% and 8.12% of the vote respectively. The left-wing coalition led by the Democratic Party won 26.12%... Read more

Incumbent President Alexander van der Bellen is due to retain his position in Austria

The incumbent Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen could be re-elected in the first round of the presidential election on 9 October with 51% of the vote. He should beat the far right FPÖ candidate Walter Rosenkranz (16%), and the singer Dominik Wlazny, leader of the Beer Party (12%)... Read more

Foundation :

Energy Crisis: European Measures

In response to rising energy prices, Member States and the EU have taken action and developed plans to reduce consumption. On 20 September, the Dutch government adopted an €18 billion household support package, including a 10% increase in the minimum wage. In Slovakia, the government has proposed a state of energy emergency in the event of a shortage. The Foundation offers you a table to help you understand everything. It will be regularly completed and updated... Read more

Ukraine/Russia :

Guidelines regarding the documentation of international crimes

On 21 September, Eurojust and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) jointly published guidelines for civil society organisations involved in the documentation of international crimes and human rights violations, particularly in Ukraine. To improve civil society support for investigations and prosecutions in national and international courts, the guidelines provide practical tools for the collection and preservation of relevant information... Read more

Speeches by Volodymyr Zelenskyy

At the Global Food Security Summit on 21 September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled that freedom from hunger is a right, which Russia wants to turn into a privilege. In an address to the Forbes 400 philanthropy summit on 23 September, he called for investment in his country, particularly in agribusiness and energy. In an interview with the French daily Ouest France, he called on France, Germany and Turkey to help Ukraine more, and stressed that he believed EU membership should be a "matter of months, not years"... Read more

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Condemnation of the so-called "referendums" in the occupied Ukrainian territories

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly President Tiny Kox have condemned the so-called referendums in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine and stressed that they will not be recognised. In a joint statement, the leaders of the G7 countries also condemned votes organised by force, and said they will have "neither legal effect nor legitimacy". On 20 September, Josep Borrell condemned the planned pseudo-referendums in the occupied Ukrainian territories. These referendums, which run counter to the country's sovereignty, are a violation of international law and will not be recognised by the European Union and its Member States... Read more

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UN Commission of Inquiry concludes that war crimes were committed

The Independent International Commission on Ukraine concluded on 23 September that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Many of the Ukrainian victims were executed after being illegally detained, and often tortured. The three investigators reported that civilians were attacked indiscriminately with soldiers and that sexual violence was committed against women and children... Read more

Finland is to restrict the entry of Russian citizens

On 23 September, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security decided on the upcoming introduction of restrictions on the entry of Russian tourists. The measures are to be detailed in a forthcoming government resolution... Read more

Meeting of the UN Security Council

At the Security Council meeting on Ukraine on 22 September, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern that recent events in Ukraine were "taking us further away from any prospect of peace. He stressed the seriousness of the human rights violations on Ukrainian territory, while calling on States to rule out the idea of a nuclear conflict. Faced with Moscow's decision to extend the invasion, Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, pledged to ensure Russia's accountability, mentioning the International Criminal Court... Read more

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Declaration on the safety and security of civil nuclear installations

The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, representatives of South Korea, the United States and Switzerland, as well as the High Representative of the European Union supported the IAEA's actions to maintain safety and security at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant site in a joint statement issued on 21 September. They also accused Russia of being the cause of the nuclear threats in Ukraine and said they were ready to learn from this situation in order to plan for the security of nuclear facilities in the face of new threats... Read more

Commission :

New European Hydrogen Project

On 21 September, the Commission approved a major project of common European interest (IPCEI) to boost the supply of renewable hydrogen, with €5.2 billion in public funding. The programme, led by 13 Member States, includes 35 collaborative projects to attract private investment for the innovative development of hydrogen infrastructure... Read more

New instrument in the face of emergencies

On 19 September, the Commission presented a new emergency instrument to address the structural weaknesses of the single market identified during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its function will be to safeguard the free movement of goods, services and persons and access to essential goods and services in future crises. It includes a single market monitoring mechanism, responsible for the prevention of emergencies, alerts and emergency situations... Read more

New approach to help diagnose cancer

On 21 September, the Commission presented a new approach to improve the early detection of cancer as part of the European plan to beat cancer. The recommendation calls for better targeting and extending screening to more people and cancers such as lung and prostate cancer... Read more

Council :

Conclusioin of a framework agreement with Australia

On 20 September the Council adopted the decision to conclude a cooperation agreement between the European Union and its Member States on the one hand and Australia on the other. The agreement, previously ratified by the Member States, will enter into force by 31 October 2022. It aims to renew the former partnership dating from 2008 and to deepen Euro-Australian cooperation. To this end, it covers several areas relating to security, economic and environmental issues... Read more

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Meeting of European Affairs Ministers

On 20 September, the Ministers for European Affairs discussed the annual report on the rule of law and the follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe, with particular focus on the question of abandoning unanimity voting. They took stock of relations with the United Kingdom and prepared the European Council of 20 and 21 October. The ministers also approved an additional €5 billion in aid for Ukraine... Read more

Informal meeting of Ministers responsible for consumer protection

On 23 September, the ministers responsible for consumer protection discussed the strengthening of the application of consumer law and the challenges faced by European consumers, as well as the protection of Ukrainians as vulnerable consumers... Read more

Diplomacy :

Meeting of the G7 Foreign Affairs Ministers

At a meeting on 22 September in New York, G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative condemned Russia's annexation plans and atrocities in Ukraine, considering the introduction of new sanctions and a cap on Russian oil prices. They welcomed efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the implementation of the Black Sea Grain initiative to resume the export of agricultural products through Ukrainian ports. They also highlighted China's human rights violations in Xinjiang... Read more

Union's Contribution to the fight to counter AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

On 21 September, the European Union pledged €715 million to the Global Fund for the period 2023-2025. This international partnership aims to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria but has also contributed to the fight against Covid-19... Read more

Declaration regarding world food security

At a world summit on food security on 20 September, world leaders pledged to increase humanitarian aid dedicated to ending the current food security crisis. Leaders discussed the issue of food shortages as a major factor in instability, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and misinformation. In addition to emergency funding for countries in need, actions are aimed at supporting the creation of sustainable agricultural systems... Read more

Call to end the repression of demonstrations in Iran

EU High Representative Josep Borrell called on Iran on 25 September to stop the crackdown on the protests sparked by the deaths of young women. He described the disproportionate use of force by the Iranian authorities as "unjustifiable and unacceptable". On behalf of the EU, he called for the restoration of internet access in Iran, a major violation of freedom of expression... Read more

Court of Justice :

Decisions regarding the retention of data

In two judgments handed down on 20 September, the Court of Justice of the European Union recalled that the general and undifferentiated retention of traffic and location data by operators of electronic communications and telephony services is contrary to European law, except in cases of a serious threat to national security... Read more

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Court of Auditors :

Tony Murphy, new president

The Irish Member of the European Court of Auditors, Tony Murphy, was elected President of the institution on 20 September. His term of office will begin on 1 October for a renewable period of three years... Read more

European Agencies :

Action taken against the mafia in Spain

An operation against a criminal organisation allegedly involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion was conducted on 20 September in Ibiza. Among other things, it led to the arrest of 32 members of the organisation which was also operating in Milan. The investigation was conducted in cooperation between the Italian and Spanish authorities with the support of Europol and Eurojust... Read more

Christiane Lambert, re-elected as the head of the COPA

Christiane Lambert of France, president of the FNSEA, was re-elected on 23 September for a second two-year term at the head of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations of the European Union (COPA)... Read more

Germany :

Olaf Scholz in the Gulf

On 24-25 September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. He mainly discussed energy security issues. He signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for the first deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of this year... Read more

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France :

Meeting with the German Defence Minister

The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, visited Berlin on 23 September with his counterpart Christine Lambrecht. The two ministers agreed to continue military aid to Ukraine, to monitor the situation in the Sahel, and to go "all the way" with the Future Air Combat System (SCAF) programme. The staffs of the two countries will also be tasked with making proposals on the role of the Franco-German brigade within NATO... Read more

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UK :

Plan to reduce taxes and energy bills

On 23 September, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng presented a wide-ranging tax cut plan to help households and businesses cope with the energy crisis and to promote growth. The plan includes £60 billion (€68 billion) of support to keep the cost of energy bills down... Read more

ECHR :

Siofra O'Leary, elected President of the European Court of Human Rights

Irish judge Síofra O'Leary was elected President of the European Court of Human Rights on 19 September. She will take office on 1 November for a non-renewable three-year term. She will be the first woman to hold this position. The ECHR has 46 members... Read more

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UN :

UN General Assembly

The leaders of France, Germany, Spain, Poland, the UK and Ukraine addressed the UN General Assembly, as did the President of the European Council. They called for reform of the Security Council, to make it more representative and to limit the power of the veto. They all condemned Russia's behaviour and called on all states in the world to feel concerned. Emmanuel Macron and Andrzej Duda recalled the importance of efforts to combat the food crisis caused by the war. Volodymyr Zelensky, who was able to speak via video conference, called for Russia to be "punished" for its crimes by a special court, and called for the creation of a compensation fund for the victims... Read more

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OECD :

Report on Tax Policy

On 21 September, the OECD released a report on the role of tax policy in countries' economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and rising energy prices. In 2021, many countries implemented tax reforms, including cutting taxes for households and introducing more generous tax incentives for businesses, which helped growth... Read more

Studies/Reports :

Annual report on the Union's trade defence activities

According to the 2021 annual report published on 19 September, European trade defence measures have saved 462 000 European jobs. These measures, mostly "anti-dumping", are designed to stop unfair international imports through increased surveillance and sanctions... Read more

A new European innovation agenda

The European Parliament's research service has published a study on the EU innovation agenda, summarising the state of play and the positions of those involved... Read more

5th anniversary of the implementation of the EU-Canada Agreement

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada on 21 September, the Commission noted that bilateral trade in goods has increased by 31% to €60 billion, and trade in food and agricultural products has grown by 41%. EU goods exports to Canada increased by 26%, providing 700,000 jobs in Europe... Read more

Culture :

Frida Kahlo at the Galliera Palace

Until 5 March 2023, the Palais Galliera in Paris is hosting an exhibition in honour of Frida Kahlo, in collaboration with the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico. Films and photographs recounting her life and more than 200 objects that belonged to the artist are on display. In parallel, a "capsule exhibition" on the artist's influence on contemporary fashion is on display until 31 December... Read more

European Cultural Solidarity with Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, events have been organised to support Ukrainian culture during the war. The Ukrainian Spring initiative is organising workshops and conferences in Paris until 7 October. The exhibition "We are from Kharkiv" brings together many personalities from the artistic and academic world to talk about Ukrainian art during the war. Ukrainian Culture Weeks are being held in Oxford until 1 October. A concert for Ukraine will take place in London on 5 October, in Berlin and Warsaw on 13 October. In Lower Saxony, joint projects are being implemented between German and Ukrainian universities. The European Union is funding Ukrainian artists and Poland has set up a programme of financial support for Ukrainian culture... Read more

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Nikola Tesla Exhibition in Madrid

Until 8 January 2023, the CaixaForum in Madrid is hosting the first Spanish exhibition on the inventor Nikola Tesla in partnership with the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade. The aim is to link art and science by presenting the works and life of "one of the inventors of the 20th century"... Read more

Basquiat Retrospective in the Albertina

Until 8 January 2023, the Albertina Museum in Vienna is presenting a retrospective of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The exhibition includes some 50 of the artist's most important works from public and private collections, shedding new light on his unique painting style and artistic ideas... Read more

Anish Kapoor at the Polish Sculpture Centre

The Polish Sculpture Centre in Orónsko is presenting an exhibition on the work of Indian artist Anish Kapoor until 12 February 2023.
Indian artist Anish Kapoor's abstract sculpture in various materials by one of the central artists of the contemporary scene. This is the first time the artist has been shown in Poland... Read more

Ives Maes Cosmorama in Antwerpen

On the occasion of its reopening, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is devoting an exhibition to the artist Ives Maes until 3 September 2023. His works are based on the remnants of world exhibitions from all over the world and show the contrast between futuristic visions and the reality of the contemporary world... Read more

Clara and Crawly Creatures

Until 15 January 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is hosting an exhibition of more than 200 objects depicting ants, spiders, butterflies and more. The exhibition reveals how artists and scientists have been fascinated by these small creatures... Read more

Champollion, "La Voie des Hiéroglyphes"

The Louvre-Lens is celebrating its 10th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the deciphering of hieroglyphics. For the occasion, it is dedicating an exhibition to hieroglyphics until 16 January 2023. It tells the story of Jean-François Champollion, the scientist who deciphered this writing system, and explains the process by which he did it. 350 works are on display... Read more

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The history of anatomy in Edinburgh

Until 30 October, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh presents a history of anatomical study. The exhibition traces 500 years of medical exploration, in particular the artistic explorations of Leonardo da Vinci, by analysing the social and medical history surrounding the dissection of human bodies... Read more

Andy Warhol in Padua

Until 29 January 2023, the Altinate Cultural Centre in Padua is presenting an exhibition dedicated to the eccentric world of Andy Warhol. 150 works including drawings, engravings, silkscreens, sculptures and postcards by the artist are on display... Read more

Triennale der Moderne in Germany

The cultural festival "Triennale der Moderne" is taking place in the German cities of Dessau-Rosslau from 7 to 9 October, Weimar from 14 to 16 October and Berlin until 31 December. The programme includes guided tours, openings, exhibitions and walks around the European art movement of modernism. In Berlin, a theme is devoted to the roots of modernism in Ukraine... Read more

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The Letter's Editorial Team :

Stefanie Buzmaniuk, Helen Levy ;
Micol Cattana, Eléna Roux

Editors-in-chief: Eric Maurice
Publishing Director: Pascale Joannin
N° ISSN : 2729-6482

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The Robert Schuman Foundation, created in 1991 and acknowledged by State decree in 1992, is the main French research centre on Europe. It develops research on the European Union and its policies and promotes the content of these in France, Europe and abroad. It encourages, enriches and stimulates European debate thanks to its research, publications and the organisation of conferences. The Foundation is presided over by Mr. Jean-Dominique Giuliani.