MEPs return to Brussels for key Committee meetings on opening up foreign markets to EU businesses, the 2011 budget discharge and the new Tobacco Products Directive.

On the Agenda: Business abroad, annual accounts & smoking

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Welcome to the Agenda.  This week we're at the Strasbourg plenary

but let's take a look at what's on offer at  Committee meetings next week in Brussels.

The EU's public procurement market is very  open to international goods and services

but a lack of a level playing field  makes it hard for European companies

to do business in foreign markets  like China.

Countries wishing to compete in its market  will have to open up their markets

to European businesses  and stop unfair practices.

If they don't, the EU will restrict  their goods and services.

The Trade Committee will exchange views  with Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht

The credibility of the EU's  cost effectiveness

is scrutinised by how and where it spends  its money every year by Parliament.

Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK  have already raised transparency issues

The Budgetary Control Committee  will spend Monday and Tuesday

looking at the EU's financial  management for 2011

and will vote on whether they will give  their approval to discharge the 2011 budget.

A good groundhandling service  helps airports operate smoothly.

It has a turnover of some €50 billion  and employs 60,000 people.

A new regulation aims to cut delays,  improve quality to passengers

But some Member States don't want  mandatory competition of ground handlers

and MEPs have questioned whether further  competition can in fact increase efficiency

and bring down costs.  Find out what changes will be voted through

when the Transport Committee  meets next Monday.

Over to the Health  and Environment Committee

where MEPs will be debating draft rules  on a new Tobacco Products Directive.

Changes would include a ban  on slim and flavoured cigarettes

and 75% of all packaging  would have to carry a health warning.

or has it gone far enough to stop  the glamorisation and culture of smoking?

And that's all we have for this Agenda.  Take care and enjoy the week.