This WEEK in the European Union

Next week is set to be a first public test for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton as she faces the European Parliament after her first 100 days in office, a period marked more by criticism than praise for the British politician.

Ms Ashton will appear before MEPs on Wednesday to discuss her foreign policy priorities for her five-year term. She is likely to try and draw a line under the first three months in office during which she has struggled to manage the high expectations people had for the post and the realities of what one person can achieve in the broad-ranging job. Her last appearance in the parliament was during her hearing by MEPs in late January, a three-hour grilling that left deputies somewhat underwhelmed.

Since then, MEPs have also been agitating to have a greater say on the setting up of the European diplomatic service. Discussions on the new service are now entering the high-stakes phase as Ms Ashton is due to come with a legal proposal by the end of this month. She will discuss the issue with the leaders of the political groups on Thursday. MEPs can make life difficult for Ms Ashton via the staff and financial regulations, both of which have to be changed - with parliament's agreement - to accommodate the diplomatic service.

On Wednesday, deputies will vote on legislation to reduce accounting requirements for small businesses and debate international taxes on financial transactions with the commission on Monday. The following day, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso will have his monthly question time with MEPs. The set topic is fundamental rights and the Lisbon Treaty.

The European Commission on Tuesday will publish a communication on international climate change policy and how to relaunch meaningful talks on the issue following the disappointing international summit in Copenhagen in December. The paper's publication is symbolically important for the EU which is seeking to regain the political momentum in climate change issues after being sidelined during the Copenhagen meeting. MEPs will discuss the paper directly after it is published.

Employment ministers will discuss the European Commission's new Agenda 2020 strategy. The 10-year plan, unveiled last week, has been criticised for relying too much on the political will of member states to implement the economic goals.