WRITTEN QUESTION E-1336/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Proceedings against Greece with regard to French diplomas in psychology and their recognition under Directive 89/48/EEC.
Date: 2001-05-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, infringement procedure (EU), recognition of diplomas

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/125

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2001)

The Commission(cid:146)s Directorate for Fisheries has been reorganised with effect from 1 April 2001.

The new Directorate A (cid:129) Conservation Policy (cid:129) groups together four units one of which handles stock
management in Community waters and where there are common stocks with neighbouring countries i.e.
the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) and another deals with the management of the
fleet.

Of necessity, the activities of this Directorate are in no way restricted to any particular geographical area.

Naturally, the principle of equal treatment will be applied and the effect on the Portuguese fishing industry
should be (cid:129) as for others (cid:129) that the Commission(cid:146)s responses in these areas will be even more coherent
and well motivated.

(2001/C 350 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1331/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Has the Commission received representations from a Mr Phil McCarthy (and others) alleging that Tameside
MBC breached the terms of Directive 97/11/EC (1), insofar as it relates to the need for environmental
impact assessments, by approving without undertaking an EIA the relocation of Hattersley High School to
a green field site known locally as (cid:145)Backbower(cid:146), off Mottram Old Road, within the Tameside borough?

If so, what action is the Commission taking or does it propose to take?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

Unfortunately, the Commission is not in a position to provide the Honourable Member with information
regarding the identity of individual complainants and/or the subject matter of their complaints. Complaints
to the Commission are handled in confidence unless the complainant
indicates otherwise. When
complaints from the public are formally registered by the Commission, complainants are informed that
their identity or information which may lead to their identification will only be revealed if their express
permission is given. This guarantee is important as it ensures the confidence of complainants who may
draw the Commission(cid:146)s attention to potential infringements of Community law without fear of adverse
consequences deriving from the disclosure of their identity.

(2001/C 350 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1336/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Proceedings against Greece with regard to French diplomas in psychology and their recognition

under Directive 89/48/EEC

In its reply to my Written Question H-0250/01 (1) concerning diplomas awarded by French universities
under franchise agreements with Greek free study centres and following infringement proceedings against

C 350 E/126

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

Greece for failure to respect its obligations under Directive 89/48/EEC (2), the Commission indicated that
the Greek authorities had replied to the letter of notification by letter of 17 January 2000, following which
informal contacts had taken place between the Greek authorities and the Commission, the conclusions of
which were now being considered.

In view of the considerable number of young people affected, whose professional futures are dependent on
the conclusions of the deliberations, can the Commission give details regarding the outcome of its talks
with the Greek authorities and say what will be the next stage in the proceedings to be followed by the
Commission?

(1) Written Question 3.4.2001.
(2) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989, p. 16.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2001)

As the Commission already told the Honourable Member in its answer to Oral Question H-250/01 at
Question Time during the part-session in April 2001,
the Greek authorities replied in a letter of
17 January 2000 to the Commission(cid:146)s letter of notification.

Following this letter, and in order to examine the solution found for the many individual cases in question,
the Commission and the Greek authorities have had a number of informal contacts (by letter and in
bilateral meetings), which have served to clarify the situation with regard to these cases.

Since then, the Commission has received from a number of complainants new information and details that
could prompt new complaints regarding the application to the occupation of psychologist 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.
The complainants claim that the professional recognition granted by the Greek authorities does not accord
them the same rights with regard to the exercise of their profession as those granted to psychologists who
hold Greek qualifications or who have received a certificate of academic equivalence from the Dikatsa.

The lengthy documentation that has been submitted (cid:129) several hundred pages, of which more than half has
had to be translated, with the delays that this entails (cid:129) is now being examined.

In the circumstances, it is not possible at the moment to offer any comment on the outcome of this
examination. It is nevertheless obvious that if the operation reveals the existence of new complaints or the
continuation of those referred to in the letter of notification, the Commission will not hesitate to continue
with the infringement procedure.

A Commission decision on the matter is expected in the coming months, and in any case in autumn,
following some supplementary details that may need to be checked with the Greek authorities.

(2001/C 350 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1338/01

by FrØdØrique Ries (ELDR) and Willy De Clercq (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Palestinian schoolbooks

(4 May 2001)

With regard to anti-Semitic language in the textbooks of the Palestinian Authority, Christopher Patten
stated at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament on 31 January 2001: (cid:145)The Commission rejects any
attempt to use the educational system to promote intolerance or hatred. The main focus of Commission
assistance has always been to promote a culture of peace, tolerance and human rights in the Middle East
((cid:133)) The Commission has never allocated funds for the development of a new school curriculum, nor for
the printing and distribution of school textbooks. The development of school curricula and the preparation