The European Parliament will Discuss the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU

The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg this week with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's report on the work of the first Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU.

Bulgaria's prime minister is expected to speak to MEPs on Tuesday, BTA reports. The hearing will continue with the presentation of the objectives of the Austrian Presidency by Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz. Bulgaria has handed over to Austria the presidency from the beginning of July.

The EP will debate on Tuesday afternoon the changes proposed by the European Commission about the rules for working abroad. The changes concern temporary and permanently posted employees in other EU countries, including truck drivers for international supplies. The EP for the first time rejected the opinion of its committee and decided to discuss the matter at a general meeting for the drivers' section. After the debate, the proposed changes are scheduled to be put to a vote on Wednesday.

At the beginning of June, the EP Transport Committee voted to add to the changes proposed by the EC. The supplements introduced a definition of "home" for drivers, strict requirements for their rest, and the provision of intermediate transport. A few days later the EP rejected the opinion of the parliamentary committee.

After the additions are voted at a general meeting this week, the EP is expected to enter into negotiations with the EC and the EU Council. In the course of the negotiations the texts of the amended legislation will be specified. When agreement is reached between the three institutions, the changes should pass second reading in the EP.

The inaugural session will continue tomorrow with a statement by European Council President Donald Tusk for the EU Heads of State and Government in...