WRITTEN QUESTION P-0505/01 by Gerard Collins (UEN) to the Commission. Free movement of workers.
Date: 2001-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community certification, free movement of workers, geology, professional association, recognition of vocational training qualifications

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-0483/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 February 2001)

Subject: Illegal detention of a Greek Cypriot by the Turkish Cypriot authorities

On 13 December 2000, a group of Turkish Cypriots kidnapped Mr Panikos Tsiakourmas whilst he was on
British military base property and removed him by force to the territory occupied by Turkey, where they
abandoned him,
(cid:145)Within moments(cid:146) Turkish
Cypriot police officers(cid:146) appeared and arrested him for possession of drugs.

leaving with him one-and-a-half kilos of Indian cannabis.

Since then, Mr Panikos Tsiakourmas has been held by the illegal Turkish Cypriot authorities under
inhuman conditions and without medical care despite the fact that he suffers from diabetes.

Given that Mr Tsiakourmas has no criminal record and, according to a statement by the police authorities
on the British bases there is not a shred of evidence to suggest that he is involved with drugs it is clear that
his kidnapping was an act of terrorism and his imprisonment by the illegal Turkish Cypriot authorities
amounts to hostage taking.

What action will the Commission take with a view to securing the immediate and unconditional release of
Mr Tsiakourmas? What pressure will it bring to bear on Turkey which is solely responsible for actions by
the illegal occupying authorities in Cyprus performed entirely on its orders?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-0045/01 by
Mr Zacharakis (1).

(1) See p. 168.

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WRITTEN QUESTION P-0505/01

by Gerard Collins (UEN) to the Commission

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Free movement of workers

The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) is a federation comprising 20 national geological associations
in Europe, including those from all of the Member States within the European Union.

Geological science is a rapidly changing discipline. The activity of geoscientists impinges in an ever-
increasing way upon the safety of the public. Educational and training provisions need to adapt to respond
to those changes. For its part, a professional qualifying body in geoscience needs to be vigilant in assuring
qualifying standards in its own field. At European level, the EFG is that body.

Pursuant to Directive 89/48/EEC (1) and Directive 92/51/EEC (2), the EFG has adopted a system of multi-
lateral recognition between affiliated geological associations. Candidates who meet the requirements are
awarded the professional title of European Geologist (EurGeol). Award of the designation signals the
preparedness of the EFG to guarantee the qualifications of those who practise at the highest levels in all
areas of the geosciences. Holders of the title must comply with the EFG(cid:146)s Code of Professional Conduct.

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A candidate for the title must have satisfactorily completed a third-level educational programme and
obtained satisfactory professional experience over a combined minimum total of eight years. The
requirements are thus higher than the requirements laid down in the General Directive. Applicants for
registration must be recommended by their National Association and accepted by the EFG Validation
Committee before they are awarded the EurGeol title.

The aim of the EurGeol designation is to:

(a)

recognise the practice of geoscience at a high level,

(b)

(c)

set unambiguously clear and high standards that are recognisable by government, regulatory autho-
rities and the public alike, and

facilitate free movement of geologists within the European Union by means of mutual recognition of
professional qualifications.

Does the Commission support this kind of initiative as a way of facilitating the free movement of
professionals in the EU?

To what extent could the EurGeol title facilitate the recognition of national qualifications among Member
States?

(1) OJ L 9, 24.1.1989, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 25.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2001)

The Commission has been informed of the existence of the title of (cid:145)European Geologist(cid:146) created by the
European Federation of Geologists (EFG).

Although this title does not amount to a (cid:145)diploma(cid:146) within the meaning of Council Directive 89/48/EEC of
21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on
completion of professional education and training of at least three years(cid:146) duration, and Council Directive
92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and
training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC (1), the Commission fully supports this move by the EFG, since
it is likely to facilitate the free movement of geologists within the Community.

On the one hand, the title of (cid:145)European Geologist(cid:146) can be useful both to the national authorities entrusted
with examining applications for the recognition of qualifications and diplomas acquired in another
Member State, and to potential employers who have to assess the qualifications of candidates in possession
of foreign diplomas.

On the other hand, in view of the criteria for awarding the title of (cid:145)European Geologist(cid:146), possession of that
title is evidence of a high level of competence regardless of the initial academic training of the professional
concerned. In so far as, by virtue of the case law of the Court of Justice (2), the Member States must take
account of the professional experience acquired by the migrant in addition to his diploma, when deciding
on his application for recognition, the Commission considers that a geologist who has obtained the title of
(cid:145)European Geologist(cid:146) should in principle not have to take an aptitude test or complete an adaptation period
pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 89/48/EEC or Article 7 of Directive 92/51/EEC.

Finally, in its Communication of 7 February 2001 entitled (cid:145)Realisation of the European Union(cid:146)s potential:
Consolidating and extending the Lisbon strategy(cid:146) (3),
it would be
presenting, in 2002, proposals aimed at making the rules on the recognition of professional qualifications
more uniform, more transparent and more flexible. Whilst based on the current general system for

the Commission announced that

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recognition, more systematic involvement of the professional organisations and encouragement for the
development of common platforms such as the one set up by the EFG should ensure a greater measure of
automatic recognition of professional qualifications within the Community.

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.
(2) Case C-340/89, Vlassopoulou, ECR I-2357.
(3) COM(2001) 79, followed by a second Communication adopted by the Commission on 28 February 2001 and
entitled (cid:145)New European Labour Markets, Open to all, with Access for All(cid:146), available in English on the Commission(cid:146)s
site at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/empl&esf/news/labour.pdf.

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-0522/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 February 2001)

Subject: Lower employers(cid:146) contributions

A political party in Sweden has suggested that lower employers(cid:146) contributions could be introduced for
everyone over the age of 57 in Sweden. Employers(cid:146) contributions for those over 57 could be lowered by
10 per cent to encourage employers to recruit older workers.

In the light of previous discussions in Sweden when employers in northern Sweden had their reduction of
contributions withdrawn as it was considered detrimental
the
Commission say whether it is possible for a Member State unilaterally to lower employers(cid:146) contributions
for a particular age-group on its national labour market?

to internal market competition, will

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The Commission is in favour of the objective to increase labour market participation for so called (cid:145)older
workers(cid:146) and to promote active ageing. This objective has also been enshrined in Council Decision 2001/
63/EC of 19 January 2001 on guidelines for Member States(cid:146) employment policies for the year 2001 (1),
guideline 3 of which stipulates that Member States will develop policies for active ageing with the aim of
enhancing the capacity of, and incentives for, older workers to remain in the labour force as long as
possible, in particular by reviewing tax and benefit systems in order to reduce disincentives and make it
more attractive for older workers to continue participating in the labour market. Furthermore, guideline 12
asks Member States to reduce non-wage labour costs for specific target groups. The measure described by
the Honourable Member appears to be in line with these objectives provided that it is implemented
horizontally across all sectors of the economy, so as not to favour specific sectors or companies.

In its notice on monitoring of State aid and reduction of labour costs (2), the Commission has clarified that
measures targeted at certain categories of employees do not constitute State aid within the meaning of
Article 87 (ex-Article 92) (1) EC Treaty, provided that they apply automatically over the whole Member
State without discrimination between firms. Under the latter conditions, a reduction of employer(cid:146)s
contributions for older workers would therefore not fall under the State aid rules.

Finally, the Commission reiterates that responsibility for the design and financing of social protection
systems lies with the Member States (Council Recommendation 92/442/EEC of 27 July 1992 on the
convergence of social protection objectives and policies (3)).

(1) OJ L 22, 24.1.2001.
(2) OJ C 1, 3.1.1997.
(3) OJ L 245, 26.8.1992.