Weekly agenda 

Fiona HALL (ALDE, UK) and Augustin DIAZ DE MERA (EPP, ES) will travel to Sudan from 25 to 27 March 2014 on behalf of the EP Committee on Development.

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the Sudanese National Assembly, including its speaker, chairs of the foreign affairs and economic committee, members of the government, including the interior, environment and urban development and agriculture ministers, representatives of pastoralists and civil society including the 2007 Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman.

Geneva (Switzerland)

A delegation of the Human Rights Subcommittee composed of MEPs Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair, and Mark DEMESMAEKER (Greens/EFA, BE) will visit the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss the EU priorities of the current session. The EP adopted during March plenary a resolution stating its position on the agenda of the 25th session of the UN body.

Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Six MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DRAP) will participate in the 3rd EP-Qatar Interparliamentary meeting between 22 and 25 March in Doha. The delegation will be led by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) and will include Antonio CANCIAN (EPP, IT), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT). In Doha, MEPs will meet the Speaker of the Qatar Advisory Council, government representatives,  the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee. The visit takes place in cooperation with an ad-hoc delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Foreign Affairs Committee,  which will look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar (as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic).

Between 25 and 28 March, MEPs Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT) will continue the delegation to the 7th EP-Kuwait Interparliamentary meeting, where they will meet the Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, government representatives and members of civil society.

Casablanca, Dakhla, Rabat (Morocco)

Pier Antonio PANZERI (S&D, IT) will lead the EP delegation to the 6th EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Morocco. He will be joined by Guido MILANA (S&D, IT) and Malika BENARAB-ATTOU (Greens/EFA, FR).

Reform of the justice system, advanced regionalisation, fisheries and the regional integration of Maghreb will top the debates of MEPs and their Moroccan counterparts. MEPs are also set to meet with the Speakers of both chambers of the Parliament and members of the government, including the Foreign, Interior and Justice ministers.

Doha (Qatar)

An ad-hoc delegation from the Human Rights Subcommittee and the Foreign Affairs Committee will visit  Qatar between 23 and 24 March to look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic. The delegation of six MEPs will be led by Mario David (EPP, PT) and include Elena Oana ANTONESCU (EPP, RO), Jacek PROTASIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Richard HOWITT (S&D, UK), Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFA, DE), and Nicole SINCLAIRE (NI, UK). MEPs will meet representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour, of the National Human Rights Committee, independent experts and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the delegation, MEPs will also visit the Qatar Deportation Detention Centre. The delegation takes place in cooperation with the 3rd Interparliamentary EP-Qatar meeting.

Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Seven MEPs will visit Thailand and Cambodia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) between 24 and 28 March. The group will be led by Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), and includes: Robert GOEBBELS (S&D, LU), Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT), Teresa RIERA MADURELL (S&D, ES), Gerald HÄFNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Csaba SÓGOR (EPP, RO) and Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK). In Thailand, the Working Group will meet government representatives, the Senate, representatives of civil society and the private sector. During the Interparliamentary meeting in Cambodia, MEPs will meet their counterparts in the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the civil society, and will visit several EU-funded projects.

Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Four MEPs led by Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK) will visit Bangladesh between 23 and 25 March. The other members of the delegation include: John ATTARD MONTALTO (S&D, MT), Salvador SEDÒ i ALABART (EPP, ES) and Niccolò RINALDI (ALDE, IT).  MEPs will meet the Prime Minister and other government representatives, the Speaker of the Parliament and other political actors, including the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, members of civil society and business organisations.

Djibouti and Addis Ababa

Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), Chair of the Security and Defence Subcommitte, will lead a delegation of 4 MEPs to the Horn of Africa. He will be joined by Krzysztof LISEK (EPP, PL), Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS (S&D, CY) and Indrek TARAND (Greens/EFA, EE).

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUCAP Nestor Missions, and discuss regional security issues with members of the Djibouti and Ethiopian governments and parliaments as well as representatives of the African Union.

West Bank/Gaza (Palestine)

Three members of the EP Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council will take part in the visit of its working group to West Bank/Gaza. Chaired by Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (Greens/EFA, FR), the working group also includes of Chris DAVIES (ALDE, UK) and Norbert NEUSER (S&D, DE).

MEPs are scheduled to meet with Arab-Israeli Knesset Members, representatives of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the government, UNRWA,  private sector, community, church and civil society representatives.

Warsaw

A delegation of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will visit Warsaw, Poland on 24 and 25 March 2014

 Rome

MEPs from The Employment and Social Affairs Committee will visit Rome on 24-26 March in the framework of the forthcoming Italian Presidency. The Delegation will meet Giuliano POLETTI, Minister for Labour and Social Policies, Pietro Carlo PADOAN, Minister for Economy and Finance, Sandro GOZI, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Members of the Italian Parliament, employees’ and employers’ organisations as well as NGOs and youth organisations.

The delegation led by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair, Pervenche BERES (S&D, FR) includes Csaba ÖRY (HU), EPP Coordinator, Alejandro CERCAS (ES), S&D Coordinator as well as Roberta ANGELILLI (EPP, IT), Minodora CLIVETTI (S&D, IT) and Thomas HANDEL (GUE/NGL, DE).

Rome

A delegation from the Constitutional Affairs Committee will visit Rome from 24 to 26 March 2014. The visit aims to broaden the spectrum of the committee's discussions on the "Future of Europe" in the framework of the next European elections and the incoming Italian Presidency of the Council. Members of the delegation will meet members of the Committee on European Affairs and members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the Chambers of Deputies and of the Senate. On 25 March they will meet the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.

Members taking part in the delegation are Carlo Casini (EPP, IT), Constance Le Grip (EPP, FR), György Schöpflin (EPP, HU), Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK), Alfredo Antoniozzi (EPP, IT), Giuseppe Gargani (EPP, IT) and Roberto Gualtieri (S&D, IT).

Riga

Members of the Culture and Education committee will visit Riga (Latvia) from 24 to 26 March 2014. The delegation will be led by the Committee Chair, Doris PACK (EPP, DE), and will include Helga TRÜPEL (Greens/EFE, DE), Morten LØKKEGAARD (ALDE, DK), Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) and Sandra KALNIETE (PPE, LV). The MEPs will meet members of the Latvian Saeima (Parliament), representatives of the town of Riga and different organisations participating in the Riga "European Capital of Culture 2014 " programme.

A press conference will be held at the EP Information Office / EU House in Riga on Wednesday, 26 March.

Geneva (Switzerland)

A delegation of the Human Rights Subcommittee composed of MEPs Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair, and Mark DEMESMAEKER (Greens/EFA, BE) will visit the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss the EU priorities of the current session. The EP adopted during March plenary a resolution stating its position on the agenda of the 25th session of the UN body.

Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Six MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DRAP) will participate in the 3rd EP-Qatar Interparliamentary meeting between 22 and 25 March in Doha. The delegation will be led by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) and will include Antonio CANCIAN (EPP, IT), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT). In Doha, MEPs will meet the Speaker of the Qatar Advisory Council, government representatives,  the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee. The visit takes place in cooperation with an ad-hoc delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Foreign Affairs Committee,  which will look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar (as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic).

Between 25 and 28 March, MEPs Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT) will continue the delegation to the 7th EP-Kuwait Interparliamentary meeting, where they will meet the Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, government representatives and members of civil society.

Casablanca, Dakhla, Rabat (Morocco)

Pier Antonio PANZERI (S&D, IT) will lead the EP delegation to the 6th EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Morocco. He will be joined by Guido MILANA (S&D, IT) and Malika BENARAB-ATTOU (Greens/EFA, FR).

Reform of the justice system, advanced regionalisation, fisheries and the regional integration of Maghreb will top the debates of MEPs and their Moroccan counterparts. MEPs are also set to meet with the Speakers of both chambers of the Parliament and members of the government, including the Foreign, Interior and Justice ministers.

Washington DC (USA)

Christian EHLER (EPP, DE) will lead the EP delegation to the 75th EU-US Inter-parliamentary meeting and the meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue. Other members of the delegation include Elmar BROK (EPP, DE), Godelieve QUISTHOUDT ROWOHL (EPP, DE), Romana JORDAN (EPP, SI), Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) Ana GOMES (S&D, PT), Vittorio PRODI (S&D, IT), Sarah LUDFORD (ALDE, UK), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Eva LICHTENBERGER (Greens/EFA, AT), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Helmuth SCHOLZ (GUE/NGL, DE), and Niki TZAVELA (EFD, EL).

Parliamentary oversight of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, EU and US energy policies and markets, cyber security and data protection and foreign policy issues will top the debates between the MEPs and their US Congress counterparts.

Reykjavik (Iceland)

Three MEPs will travel to Reykjavik for the 8th EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting. Chaired by Pat the Cope GALLAGHER (ALDE, IE), the delegation also i Zuzana BRZOBOHATA (S&D, CZ) and Catherine STIHLER (S&D, UK).

MEPs will discuss EU-Iceland relations, the financial and economic crisis, fisheries with their Icelandic counterparts. Discussions will also include Arctic cooperation and the future of the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Podgorica (Montenegro)

Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK) will chair the EP delegation to the 8th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting in Podgorica. Other members of the delegation areinclude Lajos BOKROS (ECR, HU), Anna IBRISAGIC (EPP, SE) and Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR).

Montenegro EU Accession talks, violence against  journalists, fight against corruption and organised crime, public finances and economic reforms will be among the main subjects on the agenda. this meeting will bring together bringing together members of the European Parliament and of the Montenegro parliament.

Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Seven MEPs will visit Thailand and Cambodia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) between 24 and 28 March. The group will be led by Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), and includes: Robert GOEBBELS (S&D, LU), Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT), Teresa RIERA MADURELL (S&D, ES), Gerald HÄFNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Csaba SÓGOR (EPP, RO) and Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK). In Thailand, the Working Group will meet government representatives, the Senate, representatives of civil society and the private sector. During the Interparliamentary meeting in Cambodia, MEPs will meet their counterparts in the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the civil society, and will visit several EU-funded projects.

Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Four MEPs led by Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK) will visit Bangladesh between 23 and 25 March. The other members of the delegation include: John ATTARD MONTALTO (S&D, MT), Salvador SEDÒ i ALABART (EPP, ES) and Niccolò RINALDI (ALDE, IT).  MEPs will meet the Prime Minister and other government representatives, the Speaker of the Parliament and other political actors, including the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, members of civil society and business organisations.

Djibouti and Addis Ababa

Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), Chair of the Security and Defence Subcommitte, will lead a delegation of 4 MEPs to the Horn of Africa. He will be joined by Krzysztof LISEK (EPP, PL), Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS (S&D, CY) and Indrek TARAND (Greens/EFA, EE).

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUCAP Nestor Missions, and discuss regional security issues with members of the Djibouti and Ethiopian governments and parliaments as well as representatives of the African Union.

Lima (Peru) and Bogota (Columbia)

The Chair of EP International Trade Committee Vital MOREIRA (S&D, PT) will lead delegation of 4 MEPs to Bogota and Lima, to assess the implementation of sustainable development chapters of the EU’s trade agreement with Peru and Colombia and gather  information at first hand on the involvement of civil society in its monitoring.

Other members of the delegation include Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV), Pablo ZALBA BIDEGAIN (EPP, ES).

 MEPs will meet with representatives of civil society, trade unions and businesses in both countries. They will  also hold meetings with governments, the President of Peru and their counterparts in Peru and Colombia parliaments. I MEPs will hold a public hearing on 27 March with the participation of over 50 NGOs and business representatives to discuss the implementation and impact of the free trade deal in Peru, backed by the European Parliament on December 2012.

West Bank/Gaza (Palestine)

Three members of the EP Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council will take part in the visit of its working group to West Bank/Gaza. Chaired by Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (Greens/EFA, FR), the working group also includes of Chris DAVIES (ALDE, UK) and Norbert NEUSER (S&D, DE).

MEPs are scheduled to meet with Arab-Israeli Knesset Members, representatives of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the government, UNRWA,  private sector, community, church and civil society representatives.

Warsaw

A delegation of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will visit Warsaw, Poland  on 24 and 25 March 2014

 Rome

MEPs from The Employment and Social Affairs Committee will visit Rome on 24-26 March in the framework of the forthcoming Italian Presidency. The Delegation will meet Giuliano POLETTI, Minister for Labour and Social Policies, Pietro Carlo PADOAN, Minister for Economy and Finance, Sandro GOZI, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Members of the Italian Parliament, employees’ and employers’ organisations as well as NGOs and youth organisations.

The delegation led by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair, Pervenche BERES (S&D, FR) includes Csaba ÖRY (HU), EPP Coordinator, Alejandro CERCAS (ES), S&D Coordinator as well as Roberta ANGELILLI (EPP, IT), Minodora CLIVETTI (S&D, IT) and Thomas HANDEL (GUE/NGL, DE).

The Fisheries Committee is meeting in Germany from 24 - 26 March.

Riga

Members of the Culture and Education committee will visit Riga (Latvia) from 24 to 26 March 2014. The delegation will be led by the Committee Chair, Doris PACK (EPP, DE), and will include Helga TRÜPEL (Greens/EFE, DE), Morten LØKKEGAARD (ALDE, DK), Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) and Sandra KALNIETE (PPE, LV). The MEPs will meet members of the Latvian Saeima (Parliament), representatives of the town of Riga and different organisations participating in the Riga "European Capital of Culture 2014 " programme.

A press conference will be held at the EP Information Office / EU House in Riga on Wednesday, 26 March.

Rome

A delegation from the Constitutional Affairs Committee will visit Rome from 24 to 26 March 2014. The visit aims to broaden the spectrum of the committee's discussions on the "Future of Europe" in the framework of the next European elections and the incoming Italian Presidency of the Council. Members of the delegation will meet members of the Committee on European Affairs and members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the Chambers of Deputies and of the Senate. On 25 March they will meet the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.

Members taking part in the delegation are Carlo Casini (EPP, IT), Constance Le Grip (EPP, FR), György Schöpflin (EPP, HU), Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK), Alfredo Antoniozzi (EPP, IT), Giuseppe Gargani (EPP, IT) and Roberto Gualtieri (S&D, IT).

Riga

Members of the Culture and Education committee will visit Riga (Latvia) from 24 to 26 March 2014. The delegation will be led by the Committee Chair, Doris PACK (EPP, DE), and will include Helga TRÜPEL (Greens/EFE, DE), Morten LØKKEGAARD (ALDE, DK), Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) and Sandra KALNIETE (PPE, LV). The MEPs will meet members of the Latvian Saeima (Parliament), representatives of the town of Riga and different organisations participating in the Riga "European Capital of Culture 2014 " programme.

A press conference will be held at the EP Information Office / EU House in Riga on Wednesday, 26 March.

Geneva (Switzerland)

A delegation of the Human Rights Subcommittee composed of MEPs Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair, and Mark DEMESMAEKER (Greens/EFA, BE) will visit the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss the EU priorities of the current session. The EP adopted during March plenary a resolution stating its position on the agenda of the 25th session of the UN body.

Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Six MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DRAP) will participate in the 3rd EP-Qatar Interparliamentary meeting between 22 and 25 March in Doha. The delegation will be led by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) and will include Antonio CANCIAN (EPP, IT), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT). In Doha, MEPs will meet the Speaker of the Qatar Advisory Council, government representatives,  the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee. The visit takes place in cooperation with an ad-hoc delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Foreign Affairs Committee,  which will look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar (as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic).

Between 25 and 28 March, MEPs Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT) will continue the delegation to the 7th EP-Kuwait Interparliamentary meeting, where they will meet the Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, government representatives and members of civil society.

Reykjavik (Iceland)

Pat the Cope GALLAGHER (ALDE, IE) will lead the EP delegation to the 42nd EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Reykjavik. He will be joined by Zuzana BRZOBOHATA (S&D, CZ) and Catherine STIHLER (S&D, UK).

Single market governance, climate and energy towards 2030, sustainable marine environment, policy responses to the economic and financial crisis, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and EU-Switzerland relations will top the agenda of the meeting of MEPs and their counterparts from national parliaments of the EFTA States.

Casablanca, Dakhla, Rabat (Morocco)

Pier Antonio PANZERI (S&D, IT) will lead the EP delegation to the 6th EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Morocco. He will be joined by Guido MILANA (S&D, IT) and Malika BENARAB-ATTOU (Greens/EFA, FR).

Reform of the justice system, advanced regionalisation, fisheries and the regional integration of Maghreb will top the debates of MEPs and their Moroccan counterparts. MEPs are also set to meet with the Speakers of both chambers of the Parliament and members of the government, including the Foreign, Interior and Justice ministers.

Washington DC (USA)

Christian EHLER (EPP, DE) will lead the EP delegation to the 75th EU-US Inter-parliamentary meeting and the meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue. Other members of the delegation include Elmar BROK (EPP, DE), Godelieve QUISTHOUDT ROWOHL (EPP, DE), Romana JORDAN (EPP, SI), Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) Ana GOMES (S&D, PT), Vittorio PRODI (S&D, IT), Sarah LUDFORD (ALDE, UK), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Eva LICHTENBERGER (Greens/EFA, AT), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Helmuth SCHOLZ (GUE/NGL, DE), and Niki TZAVELA (EFD, EL).

Parliamentary oversight of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, EU and US energy policies and markets, cyber security and data protection and foreign policy issues will top the debates between the MEPs and their US Congress counterparts.

Podgorica (Montenegro)

Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK) will chair the EP delegation to the 8th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting in Podgorica. Other members of the delegation areinclude Lajos BOKROS (ECR, HU), Anna IBRISAGIC (EPP, SE) and Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR).

Montenegro EU Accession talks, violence against  journalists, fight against corruption and organised crime, public finances and economic reforms will be among the main subjects on the agenda. this meeting will bring together bringing together members of the European Parliament and of the Montenegro parliament.

Astana and Almaty (Kazakhastan)

Elisabeth Jeggle (EPP, DE) and Daniël van der Stoep (NI, NL) from the Subcommittee on Human Rights will visit Kazakhastan (Astana and Almaty) between 26 and 29 March. They will meet members of the National Parliament, government representatives, the Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, the Ombudsman and the Deputy Prosecutor General. In both Astana and Almaty they will meet and exchange with representatives from the civil society and visit an EU funded project.

Kyiv (Ukraine)

From 26-28 march an 11-MEP strong delegation will be in Ukraine, to meet their counterparts from the Ukrainian parliament and also assess the general situation in Ukraine. Chaired by MEP Paweł KOWAL (ECR, PL), the delegation also includes MEPs Andrzej GRZYB (EPP, PL), Rebecca HARMS (Greens, DE), Jelko KACIN (ALDE, SL), Jan KOZŁOWSKI (EPP, PL), Marusya LYUBCHEVA (S&D, BG), Alexander MIRSKY (S&D, LV), Jacek PROTASIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Algirdas SAUDARGAS (EPP, LT), Marek SIWIEC (S&D, PL)

MEPs will meet with representatives of the Ukrainian government, including the prime minister, and civil society organizations, with a focus on those active in human rights and representing ex-Maidan protestors. On 27th of March, MEPs will participate in the Parliamentary cooperation committee meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts, to exchange views about internal developments in Ukraine and the EU, the association reform agenda of Ukraine, and also debate with a representative of the Ukrainian government and EU representatives. Among other issues that will be discussed are trade regimes, visa liberalization and energy cooperation. From 13.00-13.20 both Co-Chairmen will hold a Press conference in the the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine building.

Fiona HALL (ALDE, UK) and Augustin DIAZ DE MERA (EPP, ES) will travel to Sudan from 25 to 27 March 2014 on behalf of the EP Committee on Development.

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the Sudanese National Assembly, including its speaker, chairs of the foreign affairs and economic committee, members of the government, including the interior, environment and urban development and agriculture ministers, representatives of pastoralists and civil society including the 2007 Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman.

Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Seven MEPs will visit Thailand and Cambodia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) between 24 and 28 March. The group will be led by Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), and includes: Robert GOEBBELS (S&D, LU), Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT), Teresa RIERA MADURELL (S&D, ES), Gerald HÄFNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Csaba SÓGOR (EPP, RO) and Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK). In Thailand, the Working Group will meet government representatives, the Senate, representatives of civil society and the private sector. During the Interparliamentary meeting in Cambodia, MEPs will meet their counterparts in the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the civil society, and will visit several EU-funded projects.

Djibouti and Addis Ababa

Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), Chair of the Security and Defence Subcommitte, will lead a delegation of 4 MEPs to the Horn of Africa. He will be joined by Krzysztof LISEK (EPP, PL), Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS (S&D, CY) and Indrek TARAND (Greens/EFA, EE).

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUCAP Nestor Missions, and discuss regional security issues with members of the Djibouti and Ethiopian governments and parliaments as well as representatives of the African Union.

Lima (Peru) and Bogota (Columbia)

The Chair of EP International Trade Committee Vital MOREIRA (S&D, PT) will lead delegation of 4 MEPs to Bogota and Lima, to assess the implementation of sustainable development chapters of the EU’s trade agreement with Peru and Colombia and gather  information at first hand on the involvement of civil society in its monitoring.

Other members of the delegation include Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV), Pablo ZALBA BIDEGAIN (EPP, ES).

 MEPs will meet with representatives of civil society, trade unions and businesses in both countries. They will  also hold meetings with governments, the President of Peru and their counterparts in Peru and Colombia parliaments. I MEPs will hold a public hearing on 27 March with the participation of over 50 NGOs and business representatives to discuss the implementation and impact of the free trade deal in Peru, backed by the European Parliament on December 2012.

West Bank/Gaza (Palestine)

Three members of the EP Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council will take part in the visit of its working group to West Bank/Gaza. Chaired by Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (Greens/EFA, FR), the working group also includes of Chris DAVIES (ALDE, UK) and Norbert NEUSER (S&D, DE).

MEPs are scheduled to meet with Arab-Israeli Knesset Members, representatives of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the government, UNRWA,  private sector, community, church and civil society representatives.

Czech Republic

The Budgetary Control Committee is meeting in the Czech Republic from 26 - 28 of March. MEPs will discuss the manner in which the Czech audit authorities check cohesion policy spending. Head of  delegation is Jens Geier (S&D, DE), which will also include  Jan Mulder (ALDE, NL), Derek Vaughan (S&D, UK), Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP, DE) and Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, BE).

Italy, Rome

MEPs from The Employment and Social Affairs Committee will visit Rome on 24-26 March in the framework of the forthcoming Italian Presidency. The Delegation will meet Giuliano POLETTI, Minister for Labour and Social Policies, Pietro Carlo PADOAN, Minister for Economy and Finance, Sandro GOZI, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Members of the Italian Parliament, employees’ and employers’ organisations as well as NGOs and youth organisations.

The delegation led by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair, Pervenche BERES (S&D, FR) includes Csaba ÖRY (HU), EPP Coordinator, Alejandro CERCAS (ES), S&D Coordinator as well as Roberta ANGELILLI (EPP, IT), Minodora CLIVETTI (S&D, IT) and Thomas HANDEL (GUE/NGL, DE).

Madeira, Portugal

Members of the Transport and Tourism committee will visit Madeira from 26-28 March 2014. The delegation, led by Mathieu GROSCH (EPP, BE) will inlude Preslav BORISSOV (EPP, BG), Nuno TEIXEIRA (EPP, PT), Spyros DANELLIS (S&D, EL), Zita GURMAI (S&D, HU), Roberts ZILE (ECR, LV) and João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT). MEPs will meet local airport and maritime port authorities, representatives of local businesses and industry and regional government officials.

Dublin/Waterford

Members of the Committee on Regional Development will visit Ireland from 26 to 28 March 2014. The delegation will be led by Joachim ZELLER (EPP, DE) and will include Iosif MATULA (EPP, RO), Constanze KREHL (S&D, DE), Iñaki IRAZABALBEITIA FERNÁNDEZ (Greens/EFA, ES), Martina ANDERSON (GUE/NGL, UK) and Seán KELLY (EPP, IE). The main purpose of the visit is to gather information at first hand on the the implementation of the EU cohesion policy. The MEPs will visit relevant EU-funded projects. They will meet members of the Irish government and Parliament in Dublin and visit the Waterford Institute of Technology which specialises in using ESF funding to meet the needs of the regional labour market. A press conference will be held at the Tower Hotel in Waterford on Friday 28 March at 11:30 (tbc).

Athens, Greece

A delegation from the Committee on Legal Affairs will visit Athens from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the Greek Presidency of the Council.

During the visit,  members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss justice policy, current legislation, as well as proposals to be brought forward under the Greek Presidency. Among others, MEPs will meet the Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Charalambos Athanassiou and Minister of Culture and Sport, Panos Panagiotopoulos.

Rome/Naples, Italy

A delegation of 6 MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee will visit Rome and Naples from 26-28 March to gather information on the manner in which the prison system in Italy functions. The delegation will focus on detainees' rights, the prison regime for foreigners, the execution of sentences and prisoners' conditions in southern Italy. MEPs will meet, among others, the Italian Justice Minister Andrea Orlando, staff of Rebibbia (Rome) and Poggioreale (Naples) prisons, detainees and other regional and national authorities, as well as NGO and trade union representatives.

The delegation will include the following MEPS:

• Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES) (Civil Liberties Committee Chair, Head of the Delegation)
• Frank Engel (EPP, LU)
• Kinga Göncz (S&D, HU)
• Salvatore Iacolino (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Roberta Angelilli (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Salvatore Caronna (S&D, IT), accompanying member

Rome

A delegation from the Constitutional Affairs Committee will visit Rome from 24 to 26 March 2014. The visit aims to broaden the spectrum of the committee's discussions on the "Future of Europe" in the framework of the next European elections and the incoming Italian Presidency of the Council. Members of the delegation will meet members of the Committee on European Affairs and members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the Chambers of Deputies and of the Senate. On 25 March they will meet the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.

Members taking part in the delegation are Carlo Casini (EPP, IT), Constance Le Grip (EPP, FR), György Schöpflin (EPP, HU), Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK), Alfredo Antoniozzi (EPP, IT), Giuseppe Gargani (EPP, IT) and Roberto Gualtieri (S&D, IT).

Rome

A delegation from the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality will visit Rome from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the coming Italian Presidency of the Council. During the visit, members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss gender equality issues with the members of the Italian Parliament and government and several civil society institutions, such as European Women's Lobby, and Telefono rosa.  Among others, MEPs will meet the president of the Italian Parliament, Laura Boldrini and Sandro Gozi, Undersecretary of State for European Affairs.

List of MEPs joining the delegation:

Christa Klaß (EPP, Germany) – Chair of the Delegation

Rosa Estaras Ferragut (EPP, Spain)

Astrid Lulling (EPP, Luxembourg)

Silvia Costa (S&D, Italy)

Justina Vitkauskaite (ALDE, Lithuania)

Roberta Angelilli (EPP, Italy)-local Member

Barbara Matera (EPP, Italy)- local Member

Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK) will lead a 7 MEPs strong delegation to the 16th EP-Bosnia and Herzegovina Inter-parliamentary meeting in Sarajevo. He will be joined by Tonico PICULA (S&D, HR), Lajos BOKROS (ECR, HU), Marije CORNELISSEN (Greens/EFA, NL), Tanja FAJON (S&D, SI), Doris PACK (EPP, DE) and Andrej PLENKOVIC (EPP, HR).

MEPs will discuss with their counterparts of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina the country's European integration process, popular protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fight against corruption, education and culture, human rights situation and the reform of the justice system.

Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Six MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DRAP) will participate in the 3rd EP-Qatar Interparliamentary meeting between 22 and 25 March in Doha. The delegation will be led by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) and will include Antonio CANCIAN (EPP, IT), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT). In Doha, MEPs will meet the Speaker of the Qatar Advisory Council, government representatives,  the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee. The visit takes place in cooperation with an ad-hoc delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Foreign Affairs Committee,  which will look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar (as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic).

Between 25 and 28 March, MEPs Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT) will continue the delegation to the 7th EP-Kuwait Interparliamentary meeting, where they will meet the Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, government representatives and members of civil society.

Casablanca, Dakhla, Rabat (Morocco)

Pier Antonio PANZERI (S&D, IT) will lead the EP delegation to the 6th EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Morocco. He will be joined by Guido MILANA (S&D, IT) and Malika BENARAB-ATTOU (Greens/EFA, FR).

Reform of the justice system, advanced regionalisation, fisheries and the regional integration of Maghreb will top the debates of MEPs and their Moroccan counterparts. MEPs are also set to meet with the Speakers of both chambers of the Parliament and members of the government, including the Foreign, Interior and Justice ministers.

Athens (Greece)

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (EPP, ES), EP Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat) will head the EP delegation at the 7th ordinary plenary session of the Assembly meeting in Athens.

MEPs and their counterparts from Latin American countries will discuss and vote on resolutions on transparency and corruption in the EU and Latin America, 21st century mining, trade in raw materials between the EU and Latin America or combatting poverty. The plenary session will be preceded by meetings of the Assembly's standing committees, civil society and womens' forums.

Astana and Almaty (Kazakhastan)

Elisabeth Jeggle (EPP, DE) and Daniël van der Stoep (NI, NL) from the Subcommittee on Human Rights will visit Kazakhastan (Astana and Almaty) between 26 and 29 March. They will meet members of the National Parliament, government representatives, the Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, the Ombudsman and the Deputy Prosecutor General. In both Astana and Almaty they will meet and exchange with representatives from the civil society and visit an EU funded project.

Kyiv (Ukraine)

From 26-28 march an 11-MEP strong delegation will be in Ukraine, to meet their counterparts from the Ukrainian parliament and also assess the general situation in Ukraine. Chaired by MEP Paweł KOWAL (ECR, PL), the delegation also includes MEPs Andrzej GRZYB (EPP, PL), Rebecca HARMS (Greens, DE), Jelko KACIN (ALDE, SL), Jan KOZŁOWSKI (EPP, PL), Marusya LYUBCHEVA (S&D, BG), Alexander MIRSKY (S&D, LV), Jacek PROTASIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Algirdas SAUDARGAS (EPP, LT), Marek SIWIEC (S&D, PL)

MEPs will meet with representatives of the Ukrainian government, including the prime minister, and civil society organizations, with a focus on those active in human rights and representing ex-Maidan protestors. On 27th of March, MEPs will participate in the Parliamentary cooperation committee meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts, to exchange views about internal developments in Ukraine and the EU, the association reform agenda of Ukraine, and also debate with a representative of the Ukrainian government and EU representatives. Among other issues that will be discussed are trade regimes, visa liberalization and energy cooperation. From 13.00-13.20 both Co-Chairmen will hold a Press conference in the the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine building.

Fiona HALL (ALDE, UK) and Augustin DIAZ DE MERA (EPP, ES) will travel to Sudan from 25 to 27 March 2014 on behalf of the EP Committee on Development.

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the Sudanese National Assembly, including its speaker, chairs of the foreign affairs and economic committee, members of the government, including the interior, environment and urban development and agriculture ministers, representatives of pastoralists and civil society including the 2007 Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman.

Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Seven MEPs will visit Thailand and Cambodia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) between 24 and 28 March. The group will be led by Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), and includes: Robert GOEBBELS (S&D, LU), Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT), Teresa RIERA MADURELL (S&D, ES), Gerald HÄFNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Csaba SÓGOR (EPP, RO) and Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK). In Thailand, the Working Group will meet government representatives, the Senate, representatives of civil society and the private sector. During the Interparliamentary meeting in Cambodia, MEPs will meet their counterparts in the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the civil society, and will visit several EU-funded projects.

Djibouti and Addis Ababa

Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), Chair of the Security and Defence Subcommitte, will lead a delegation of 4 MEPs to the Horn of Africa. He will be joined by Krzysztof LISEK (EPP, PL), Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS (S&D, CY) and Indrek TARAND (Greens/EFA, EE).

MEPs are set to meet with representatives of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUCAP Nestor Missions, and discuss regional security issues with members of the Djibouti and Ethiopian governments and parliaments as well as representatives of the African Union.

Lima (Peru) and Bogota (Columbia)

The Chair of EP International Trade Committee Vital MOREIRA (S&D, PT) will lead delegation of 4 MEPs to Bogota and Lima, to assess the implementation of sustainable development chapters of the EU’s trade agreement with Peru and Colombia and gather  information at first hand on the involvement of civil society in its monitoring.

Other members of the delegation include Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV), Pablo ZALBA BIDEGAIN (EPP, ES).

 MEPs will meet with representatives of civil society, trade unions and businesses in both countries. They will  also hold meetings with governments, the President of Peru and their counterparts in Peru and Colombia parliaments. I MEPs will hold a public hearing on 27 March with the participation of over 50 NGOs and business representatives to discuss the implementation and impact of the free trade deal in Peru, backed by the European Parliament on December 2012.

West Bank/Gaza (Palestine)

Three members of the EP Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council will take part in the visit of its working group to West Bank/Gaza. Chaired by Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (Greens/EFA, FR), the working group also includes of Chris DAVIES (ALDE, UK) and Norbert NEUSER (S&D, DE).

MEPs are scheduled to meet with Arab-Israeli Knesset Members, representatives of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the government, UNRWA,  private sector, community, church and civil society representatives.

Czech Republic

The Budgetary Control Committee is meeting in the Czech Republic from 26 - 28 of March. MEPs will discuss the manner in which the Czech audit authorities check cohesion policy spending. Head of  delegation is Jens Geier (S&D, DE), which will also include  Jan Mulder (ALDE, NL), Derek Vaughan (S&D, UK), Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP, DE) and Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, BE).

Madeira

Members of the Transport and Tourism committee will visit Madeira from 26-28 March 2014. The delegation, led by Mathieu GROSCH (EPP, BE) will inlude Preslav BORISSOV (EPP, BG), Nuno TEIXEIRA (EPP, PT), Spyros DANELLIS (S&D, EL), Zita GURMAI (S&D, HU), Roberts ZILE (ECR, LV) and João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT). MEPs will meet local airport and maritime port authorities, representatives of local businesses and industry and regional government officials.

Dublin/Waterford

Members of the Committee on Regional Development will visit Ireland from 26 to 28 March 2014. The delegation will be led by Joachim ZELLER (EPP, DE) and will include Iosif MATULA (EPP, RO), Constanze KREHL (S&D, DE), Iñaki IRAZABALBEITIA FERNÁNDEZ (Greens/EFA, ES), Martina ANDERSON (GUE/NGL, UK) and Seán KELLY (EPP, IE). The main purpose of the viist is to gather information at first hand on  the implementation of the EU cohesion policy. The MEPs will visit relevant EU-funded projects. They will meet members of the Irish government and parliament in Dublin. They will also Waterford's Institute of Technology which specialises in using ESF funding to meet the needs of the regional labour market. A press conference will be held at the Tower Hotel in Waterford on Friday 28 March at 11:30 (tbc).

Athens, Greece

A delegation from the Committee on Legal Affairs will visit Athens from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the Greek Presidency of the Council.

During the visit,  members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss justice policy, current legislation, as well as proposals to be brought forward under the Greek Presidency. Among others, MEPs will meet the Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Charalambos Athanassiou and Minister of Culture and Sport, Panos Panagiotopoulos.

Rome/Naples, Italy

A delegation of 6 MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee will visit Rome and Naples from 26-28 March to gather information on the manner in which the prison system in Italy functions. The delegation will focus on detainees' rights, the prison regime for foreigners, the execution of sentences and prisoners' conditions in southern Italy. MEPs will meet, among others, the Italian Justice Minister Andrea Orlando, staff of Rebibbia (Rome) and Poggioreale (Naples) prisons, detainees and other regional and national authorities, as well as NGO and trade union representatives.

The delegation will include the following MEPS:

• Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES) (Civil Liberties Committee Chair, Head of the Delegation)
• Frank Engel (EPP, LU)
• Kinga Göncz (S&D, HU)
• Salvatore Iacolino (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Roberta Angelilli (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Salvatore Caronna (S&D, IT), accompanying member

Rome

A delegation from the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality will visit Rome from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the coming Italian Presidency of the Council. During the visit, members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss gender equality issues with the members of the Italian Parliament and government and several civil society institutions, such as European Women's Lobby, and Telefono rosa.  Among others, MEPs will meet the president of the Italian Parliament, Laura Boldrini and Sandro Gozi, Undersecretary of State for European Affairs.

List of MEPs joining the delegation:

Christa Klaß (EPP, Germany) – Chair of the Delegation

Rosa Estaras Ferragut (EPP, Spain)

Astrid Lulling (EPP, Luxembourg)

Silvia Costa (S&D, Italy)

Justina Vitkauskaite (ALDE, Lithuania)

Roberta Angelilli (EPP, Italy)-local Member

Barbara Matera (EPP, Italy)- local Member

Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK) will lead a 7 MEPs strong delegation to the 16th EP-Bosnia and Herzegovina Inter-parliamentary meeting in Sarajevo. He will be joined by Tonico PICULA (S&D, HR), Lajos BOKROS (ECR, HU), Marije CORNELISSEN (Greens/EFA, NL), Tanja FAJON (S&D, SI), Doris PACK (EPP, DE) and Andrej PLENKOVIC (EPP, HR).

MEPs will discuss with their counterparts of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina the country's European integration process, popular protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fight against corruption, education and culture, human rights situation and the reform of the justice system.

Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Six MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DRAP) will participate in the 3rd EP-Qatar Interparliamentary meeting between 22 and 25 March in Doha. The delegation will be led by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) and will include Antonio CANCIAN (EPP, IT), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT). In Doha, MEPs will meet the Speaker of the Qatar Advisory Council, government representatives,  the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee. The visit takes place in cooperation with an ad-hoc delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Foreign Affairs Committee,  which will look specifically at the situation of migrant workers in Qatar (as a follow-up to the November 2013 EP resolution on the topic).

Between 25 and 28 March, MEPs Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), Vicente Miguel GARCÉS RAMÓN (S&D, ES), Holger KRAHMER (ALDE, DE) and Francesco Enrico SPERONI (EFD, IT) will continue the delegation to the 7th EP-Kuwait Interparliamentary meeting, where they will meet the Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly, government representatives and members of civil society.

Torshavn (Faroe Islands)

Pat the Cope GALLAGHER (ALDE, IE) will head a 4 MEPs strong delegation to the 6th inter-parliamentary meeting of the EU-West Nordic Council. The delegation also consists of Zuzana BRZOBOHATA (S&D, CZ), Catherine STIHLER (S&D, UK) and Olle SCHMIDT (ALDE, SE).

Fisheries issues in the North Atlantic and the Arctic cooperation will be the main subjects of debates between the MEPs and their counterparts from the West Nordic Council at the 6th inter-parliamentary meeting.

Athens (Greece)

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (EPP, ES), EP Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat) will head the EP delegation at the 7th ordinary plenary session of the Assembly meeting in Athens.

MEPs and their counterparts from Latin American countries will discuss and vote on resolutions on transparency and corruption in the EU and Latin America, 21st century mining, trade in raw materials between the EU and Latin America or combatting poverty. The plenary session will be preceded by meetings of the Assembly's standing committees, civil society and womens' forums.

Astana and Almaty (Kazakhastan)

Elisabeth Jeggle (EPP, DE) and Daniël van der Stoep (NI, NL) from the Subcommittee on Human Rights will visit Kazakhastan (Astana and Almaty) between 26 and 29 March. They will meet members of the National Parliament, government representatives, the Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, the Ombudsman and the Deputy Prosecutor General. In both Astana and Almaty they will meet and exchange with representatives from the civil society and visit an EU funded project.

Kyiv (Ukraine)

From 26-28 march an 11-MEP strong delegation will be in Ukraine, to meet their counterparts from the Ukrainian parliament and also assess the general situation in Ukraine. Chaired by MEP Paweł KOWAL (ECR, PL), the delegation also includes MEPs Andrzej GRZYB (EPP, PL), Rebecca HARMS (Greens, DE), Jelko KACIN (ALDE, SL), Jan KOZŁOWSKI (EPP, PL), Marusya LYUBCHEVA (S&D, BG), Alexander MIRSKY (S&D, LV), Jacek PROTASIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Algirdas SAUDARGAS (EPP, LT), Marek SIWIEC (S&D, PL)

MEPs will meet with representatives of the Ukrainian government, including the prime minister, and civil society organizations, with a focus on those active in human rights and representing ex-Maidan protestors. On 27th of March, MEPs will participate in the Parliamentary cooperation committee meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts, to exchange views about internal developments in Ukraine and the EU, the association reform agenda of Ukraine, and also debate with a representative of the Ukrainian government and EU representatives. Among other issues that will be discussed are trade regimes, visa liberalization and energy cooperation. From 13.00-13.20 both Co-Chairmen will hold a Press conference in the the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine building.

Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Seven MEPs will visit Thailand and Cambodia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) between 24 and 28 March. The group will be led by Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), and includes: Robert GOEBBELS (S&D, LU), Hubert PIRKER (EPP, AT), Teresa RIERA MADURELL (S&D, ES), Gerald HÄFNER (Greens/EFA, DE), Csaba SÓGOR (EPP, RO) and Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK). In Thailand, the Working Group will meet government representatives, the Senate, representatives of civil society and the private sector. During the Interparliamentary meeting in Cambodia, MEPs will meet their counterparts in the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the civil society, and will visit several EU-funded projects.

Czech Republic

The Budgetary Control Committee is meeting in the Czech Republic from 26 - 28 of March. MEPs will discuss the manner in which the Czech audit authorities check cohesion policy spending. Head of  delegation is Jens Geier (S&D, DE), which will also include  Jan Mulder (ALDE, NL), Derek Vaughan (S&D, UK), Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP, DE) and Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, BE).

Madeira

Members of the Transport and Tourism committee will visit Madeira from 26-28 March 2014. The delegation, led by Mathieu GROSCH (EPP, BE) will inlude Preslav BORISSOV (EPP, BG), Nuno TEIXEIRA (EPP, PT), Spyros DANELLIS (S&D, EL), Zita GURMAI (S&D, HU), Roberts ZILE (ECR, LV) and João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT). MEPs will meet local airport and maritime port authorities, representatives of local businesses and industry and regional government officials.

Dublin/Waterford

Members of the Committee on Regional Development will visit Ireland from 26 to 28 March 2014. The delegation will be led by Joachim ZELLER (EPP, DE) and will include Iosif MATULA (EPP, RO), Constanze KREHL (S&D, DE), Iñaki IRAZABALBEITIA FERNÁNDEZ (Greens/EFA, ES), Martina ANDERSON (GUE/NGL, UK) and Seán KELLY (EPP, IE). The main purpose of the visit is to gather information at first hand on the the implementation of the EU cohesion policy. The MEPs will visit relevant EU-funded projects. They will meet members of the Irish government and Parliament in Dublin. They will also visit the Waterford Institute of Technology which specialises in using ESF funding to meet the needs of the regional labour market. A press conference will be held at the Tower Hotel in Waterford on Friday 28 March at 11:30 (tbc).

Athens, Greece

A delegation from the Committee on Legal Affairs will visit Athens from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the Greek Presidency of the Council.

During the visit,  members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss justice policy, current legislation, as well as proposals to be brought forward under the Greek Presidency. Among others, MEPs will meet the Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Charalambos Athanassiou and Minister of Culture and Sport, Panos Panagiotopoulos.

Rome/Naples, Italy

A delegation of 6 MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee will visit Rome and Naples from 26-28 March to gather information on the manner in which the prison system in Italy functions. The delegation will focus on detainees' rights, the prison regime for foreigners, the execution of sentences and prisoners' conditions in southern Italy. MEPs will meet, among others, the Italian Justice Minister Andrea Orlando, staff of Rebibbia (Rome) and Poggioreale (Naples) prisons, detainees and other regional and national authorities, as well as NGO and trade union representatives.

The delegation will include the following MEPS:

• Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES) (Civil Liberties Committee Chair, Head of the Delegation)
• Frank Engel (EPP, LU)
• Kinga Göncz (S&D, HU)
• Salvatore Iacolino (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Roberta Angelilli (EPP, IT), accompanying member
• Salvatore Caronna (S&D, IT), accompanying member

Rome

A delegation from the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality will visit Rome from 26 to 28 March 2014, in connection with the coming Italian Presidency of the Council. During the visit, members of the delegation will have an opportunity to discuss gender equality issues with the members of the Italian Parliament and government and several civil society institutions, such as European Women's Lobby, and Telefono rosa.  Among others, MEPs will meet the president of the Italian Parliament, Laura Boldrini and Sandro Gozi, Undersecretary of State for European Affairs.

List of MEPs joining the delegation:

Christa Klaß (EPP, Germany) – Chair of the Delegation

Rosa Estaras Ferragut (EPP, Spain)

Astrid Lulling (EPP, Luxembourg)

Silvia Costa (S&D, Italy)

Justina Vitkauskaite (ALDE, Lithuania)

Roberta Angelilli (EPP, Italy)-local Member

Barbara Matera (EPP, Italy)- local Member

Athens (Greece)