This WEEK in the European Union

28 August 2007

As the European Union returns to work after the summer break, one of the most pressing issues on the agenda is the new treaty for the EU, which the Portuguese presidency wants to have done and dusted within the next eight weeks.

The legal experts examining the outline for the treaty agreed by EU leaders in June take up their work once again this week while the European Parliament's three representatives for the treaty talks will on Tuesday meet European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss the negotiations.

Several MEPs are concerned that less-than-clear language in the treaty mandate may undermine their powers in making EU legislation.

Meanwhile, MEPs generally will be getting back to EU work, preparing for the first plenary session in September.

On Monday the Fundamental Rights Agency will present its annual report on racism and xenophobia in the EU while on the same day, there will be a mini-hearing on the European Neighbourhood Policy looking at Jordan and Azerbaijan.

There will also be a discussion on human rights in Transnistria with former political prisoners.

Ukraine is on the agenda on Tuesday as MEPs meet leaders from the main political parties in the country.

On Friday, EU environment ministers will gather in Portugal.