European Parliament this week: Ukraine, roaming, workers posted abroad, banks

The international trade committee votes on Thursday (20 March) on ending or reducing customs duties on imports from Ukraine. The end of roaming costs and better protection for workers posted abroad are also on the agenda this week. In addition MEPs and negotiators from the Council will try to reach a deal on the bank resolution mechanism, while members of the economic affairs committee debate the single resolution mechanism. Finally, European Parliament President Martin Schulz addresses the European Council on 20 March.

On Thursday, the international trade committee votes on ending or greatly reducing customs duties on imports from Ukraine, as part of the EU aid package for the country. On Monday, the constitutional affairs committee will debate with David Lidington, the UK minister for Europe.

MEPs from the employment committee vote on Tuesday on a deal with member states to better protect workers who are temporarily posted abroad. The new rules aim to better differentiate between genuine posting and attempts to bypass laws. They also give EU countries more flexibility in carrying out inspections. Negotiators from Parliament and Council meet on Wednesday to work towards a deal on how to deal with failing banks. Views still differ on crucial issues.

Michelle Nouy, chair of the European Central Bank's supervisory board, will debate the single resolution system and the upcoming review of bank assets with the economic affairs committee on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, the industry committee votes on whether to end all additional roaming charges when using a mobile phone in another EU country and force internet operators to stop slowing down traffic for certain services to reduce cost.

The fraudulent use of EU funds - including corruption, money laundering and obstruction of public procurement procedures - would be subject to criminal penalties under new legislation being voted on by the civil liberties and budgetary control committees on Thursday. Reduce air pollution from flights within the EU first and save flights to and from the EU for later, is the aim of a proposal for allowances for aviation emissions being voted  by the environment committee on Wednesday.

From Monday to Wednesday, parliamentarians from more than 70 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific states meet MEPs for the 27th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. On the agenda are the crisis in the Central African Republic, migrants' rights and terrorism.