WRITTEN QUESTION P-0152/99

by Niall Andrews (UPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Free movement of professionals throughout Europe

1. Does the Commission monitor the operation and results of the Mutual Recognition Directive (initiated as 89/48/EEC(1) and completed as 92/51/EEC(2))?

2. Are there any proposals to ban the barriers created by Member States to the practice of geology by foreign nationals in other countries?

3. Is the Commission ready to draft new legislation to allow the free movement of geologists between present and potential Member States of the EU?

4. What measures does the Commission propose to ensure the recognition of professional European titles (such as EurGeol) established by professional bodies (such as the European Federation of Geologists) in order to comply with the Mutual Recognition Directive?

5. Does the Commission have plans to make it mandatory for professional geological advice to be sought during land-use planning in order to minimise or avoid the results of natural catastrophes?

6. Is the Commission considering the inclusion of advice from professional geologists in aid granted for reconstruction to countries devastated by Hurricane Mitch?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

1. In line with Article 13 of Directive 89/48/EEC, the Commission reported to the Parliament and the Council on the state of the application of the general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas(3). The Commission will, in line with Article 18 of Directive 92/51/EEC report on the progress of the application of this directive before the summer. Apart from these reports, the Commission always ensures that the provisions of the Treaty and the measures taken by the institutions pursuant thereto are applied.This obligation incumbent on the Commission under Article 155 of the EC Treaty also concerns the implementation of the directives in the Member States. For the time being the Commission is not aware of problems concerning the professional recognition of geologists. However, the Commission will deal with all information, issues or complaints submitted to it.

2. Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC aim to make it easier for nationals of Member States to pursue a profession in a Member State other than that in which they acquired their professional qualification.The value of the general system for professional recognition is described in detail in the above-mentioned report. These directives ensure free movement within the Community for a range of professions including any involving the practice of geology. The Commission would not exclude the adoption of a specific directive for a certain profession if this brings an "added-value" to free movement, but this would need to be with the agreement of the profession and at its initiative, and with the support of Member States.

3. No. The Commission has not recently received any reasoned request for such action, nor any information about any problems currently arising in relation to free movement in this area.

4. The Commission welcomes common platforms and initiatives taken by the private sector, such as that mentioned by the Honourable Member. Such initiatives might be particularly valuable in the field of non-regulated professions.

5. The Commission has no competence in land use planning. Thus, it is not envisaged to make it mandatory that geological advice should form part of land use planning procedures in Member States.

6. The Commission is indeed considering including the advice of professional geologists in the regional reconstruction programme in Central America to the extent that the nature of the projects currently under identification so require.

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989, p. 16.

(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 25.

(3) COM(96) 46 final.