EU commissioners sworn in this WEEK - Hoofdinhoud

BRUSSELS - EU lawmakers enter the 11th hour of budget negotiations as European commissioners and President Jean-Claude Juncker i swear an oath to respect fundamental rights this Week.

As Belgian trade unions on Monday kick off strikes in protest against government cut backs throughout Brussels, the European Parliament and member states enter last minute talks on the annual EU budget.

Budget negotiators must find a solution before the end of the week or the EU will have to run on provisional monthly installments starting in January.

On Wednesday, commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and all the EU commissioners head to Luxembourg where they will be sworn in by the European Court of Justice.

Each will pledge to be independent from any outside influence and promise to respect the charter of fundamental rights.

Other top EU officials, including EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini i and enlargement negotiations commissioner Johannes Hahn i, are heading to Turkey to meet its new government on Monday.

It is also a busy week for EU ministers.

On Monday, both EU finance and energy ministers are in Brussels.

EU finance ministers are discussing national budget plans and assessing a possible bailout extension for Greece.

EU energy ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on the completion of the internal energy market. They will also be holding a policy debate on the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

On Wednesday, EU ministers for jobs and health are expected to reach an agreement on the women on company boards directive.

They will also discuss the equal treatment directive. The talks signal a possible new development in the stalled bill, which was first proposed in 2008.

On Friday, EU ministers for foreign affairs, development, and education are meeting.

Foreign affairs ministers, along with ministers for development co-operation will discuss international development issues. Migration and refugees are also on the agenda.

Meanwhile, ministers for education are set to discuss youth education and entrepreneurship.

The European Parliament, for its part, has a relatively quiet week.

On Monday, MEPs in the economy and finance committee will hold a public hearing with the candidate set to head the single resolution board.

The board, composed of a director, four appointed members and the representatives of national resolution authorities, is set to assess what to do when a bank is in danger of insolvency.

On Thursday, the civil liberties committee will discuss migration and assess the Italian EU presidency’s work in justice and home affairs.

The MEPs will be holding a debate on the issue with Italy’s interior minister Angelino Alfano.