We take a look at MEPs' packed agenda for next week, and spend a day with two German MPs who have come to town to explore co-operation with the European Parliament as mandated by the Lisbon Treaty.

The News: Committee week agenda - Inter-parliamentary co-operation

The Lisbon Treaty compels national   parliaments to work with the EP.

So far only the Bundestag   has opened offices in Brussels.

A look ahead at next week’s   events in the EP:

pharmacovigilance and   an attempt by the foreign policy chief

to get a common position   on the External Action Service.

Tuesday morning in Brussels.   MEPs are arriving at the airport -

but EuroparlTV is waiting for   a different kind of deputy -

Steffen Bilger sits   on the Transport Committee

and Gunter Krichbaum chairs   the European Affairs committee.

He's on a brief visit to the permanent   representation of the Bundestag.

Within the last few years   the German Parliament

has developed   its European capacities a lot.

We regard this connection   as essential to our work.

Steffen Bilger spends most of his visit in   the European Parliament, meeting MEPs.

That MPs outside committees designated   to inter-parliamentary cooperation

are making regular trips to Brussels,   indicates a change in relations.

In committee work - and I'm not   on the European Affairs Committee -

we realise that Europe   has more of a say in all domains.

The Lisbon Treaty obliges   national parliaments

As a Vice President of the EP   in charge of the matter explains,

there is some work to do yet,   as nobody seems to be prepared.

The Treaty of Lisbon   creates a new set-up

which has to be filled   with bodies, with mechanisms.

Negotiations between the EP   and national chambers

about providing for this cooperation   have only begun.

On Tuesday the Environment,   Public Health and Food Safety Committee

votes on two reports: pharmacovigilance   and protection against fake drugs.

We've increased both   the information and the controls

and we’ve created a committee   for pharmacovigilance

independently from the one   that's authorising medicines,

On Monday, Catherine Ashton will   seek a common position with the Council

on the External Action Service,   the new EU diplomatic corps.

MEPs won’t agree on budget and staffing   unless there is democratic control.

It's very clear that we need to get   a strong link with the Commission

and it’s also very important   that we need a lot more documentation.

Monday sees a round table on moves   toward a Common Asylum System.

Tuesday's vote on an alternative   investments report, like hedge funds,

is postponed until 10 May, but negotiating   positions are getting closer.

The shadow rapporteurs view   the report's proposals quite favourably.

I hope we can pursue our work   and find a solution quickly.

Tuesday also sees a public hearing   on over-the-counter derivatives,

which the EU wants   to see brought under control.

We have not only a bit of legislation   that's looking at derivatives clearing

but also what capital should   financial institutions need to hold

against those that are still   going to be over the counter.

On Wednesday there's a report   on preventing air accidents,

an odd coincidence following   a plenary session cut short

by an Icelandic volcano   that caused a ban on flights.

The Commissioner for financial services   calls it ‘a true culture of foresight’

or, how to finance crisis prevention   mechanisms by charging banks.

It’s an idea of the IMF   supported by the Commission.

Such a contingency fund   is being discussed at European level.

Budget deficits and public debt   in the eurozone and Member States

In the eurozone, public debt   has passed 6.3% of GDP.

The figures are the highest in Ireland,   Greece, UK, Spain and Portugal.

almost 9 out of 10 Europeans want to ban   alcohol from under 18-year-olds.

Several Member States   already have a minimum age,

83% of those surveyed also call for more   severe sanctions against drink-driving.