The week ahead

6 March: EU officials meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Brussels. On the agenda: Kosovo and the western Balkans, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Middle East, Kenya and Chad, visas;

8 March: general and local elections, Malta;

9 March: general election, Spain;

10 March: EU foreign ministers meet, Brussels. On the agenda: the European Council, western Balkans, Afghanistan and Paki-stan, Georgia, Zimbabwe, trade;

10-13 March: Parliament plenary, Strasbourg. On the agenda: the European Institute of Technology, health check of the Common Agricultural Policy, European Council;

11 March: Weekly Commission meeting, Strasbourg. On the agenda: the future of EU agencies, relations with Africa, reducing administrative burdens, US visa-waivers, antitrust and merger cases;

11-12 March: EU justice and home affairs ministers meet informally, Brdo, Slovenia. On the agenda: management of the EU's external borders and relations with the US, including visas, data protection, combating terrorism and orga-nised crime, judicial co-operation.