The European Central Bank (ECB) signals an increasing readiness to pursue a big programme of quantitative easing (QE)—creating money to buy financial assets—in order to lift worryingly low inflation. Such an undertaking would require the purchase of sovereign bonds, an unpalatable policy in Germany, the country that in effect underwrites the single currency. Will the ECB nonetheless move from semaphore to action when its governing council meets on January 22nd?

EU officials are holding discussions to allow government security services to trade information on travellers flying between European cities. Passport and identity checks are also to be reintroduced within the EU’s passport-free travel zone, according to measures being discussed urgently among governments.

EU ministers are also preparing to press the social media industry – providers such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter – to cooperate in preventing jihadists and terrorists using the internet as recruiting sergeants and propaganda instruments inciting hatred and violence.

The European Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker, will have a hard time building majorities in the European Parliament regarding its plan for 2015. The new balance of power in the EP makes it harder for the European Commission to push through its agenda: the EPP is the largest group, but is far from having a comfortable majority.

In December 1998, the heads of state of Britain and France met for a two-day summit in St-Malo, France, to discuss the defence policy of Europe. The resulting declaration asserted that “The European Union needs to be in a position to play its full role on the international stage” . “To this end,” it read, “the Union must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed up by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and a readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises” .

Fundamental to the protection of human rights are the principles of the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings and the obligation of all Member States of the United Nations to take measures to promote “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. There is no denial that certain forms of expression can threaten the dignity of targeted individuals and create an environment in which the enjoyment of equality is not possible.

The EU Commission will propose a new wave of EU anti-terrorist measures in a month’s time. It’s not yet known what the content of this law will be. Currently, it would not be problematic to use existing EU anti-terrorism laws if necessary, in order for instance to surrender suspects of crime on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW), in the event that they fled to another Member State. The question is whether the EU needs more such laws.

For 2015, the Commission recommends focusing attention on a number of key reforms. The areas chosen are relevant for all Member States although the exact measures to be taken will vary from country to country. Within the euro area, particular attention should be paid to better co-ordination of some of these reforms to enhance positive synergies and to avoid negative spill overs. The areas for reform are the following:

Opposition challenger Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was elected Croatia's first female president  narrowly winning a tight run-off vote with a pledge to kickstart the EU country's ailing economy. The president's post in Croatia is a ceremonial position. Grabar-Kitarovic is Croatia's fourth president since its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

Dozens of foreign leaders including Muslim and Jewish statesmen gathered in an unprecedented march to pay tribute to victims of Islamist militant attacks.

The message they convey :

• Standing up
• Unity against extremism
• A cry for freedom and tolerance
• Free speech
• Bringing people together of all religions

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry summed it up  best as follows: