WRITTEN QUESTION E-1491/01 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission. Professional title of?non-medical practitioner' in Greece.
Date: 2001-05-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, capacity to exercise rights, occupational status, paramedical profession, practitioner of alternative medicine, recognition of diplomas, recognition of vocational training qualifications, right of establishment

C 318 E/244

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

(2001/C 318 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1491/01

by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Professional title of?non-medical practitioner(cid:146) in Greece

(18 May 2001)

Does a German non-medical practitioner resident in Greece require special authorisation to practise

1.
there?

Is a distinction made in Greece between the professional titles of (cid:145)non-medical practitioner(cid:146) and

2.
(cid:145)physiotherapist(cid:146)?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The two professions mentioned by the honourable Member are not common or governed in the same way
throughout the Community. In fact, according to the information at the Commission(cid:146)s disposal, the
profession of (cid:145)non-medical practitioner(cid:146) exists only in Germany, whereas the profession of (cid:145)physiotherapist(cid:146)
is regulated in all the Member States. The two professions are quite separate in the health sector.

As for the recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas, Council Directives 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 (1) and 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) set up a general system for recognition without prior harmonisation
(except for some health professions which are covered by some basic coordination at Community level and
by special directives (2)). One of the conditions of application of the general system for the recognition of
diplomas is that the professions existing in the Member State where the person was trained and in the
Member State where he will apply for recognition of his professional qualifications should in fact be
identical.

Lastly, there are penalties in most Member States for non-compliance with the conditions of access and the
exercise of health professions (a diploma and prior authorisation to practise are generally required for
health professions). Any queries relating to practical
information about the application of the general
system for the recognition of diplomas in the Member States should be addressed to the (cid:145)contact points for
professional recognition(cid:146)
in the relevant Member States, the addresses of which can be found on the
Commission(cid:146)s website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/qualifications/contact.htm.

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989 and OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.
(2) Doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, nurses in general medicine and pharmacists.

(2001/C 318 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1506/01

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: OLAF documents relating to the butter scandal

(15 May 2001)

In paragraph 21 of its resolution of 14 March 2001 on combating fraud the European Parliament called, in
the interests of public health, for immediate access to be given to all documents in the possession of OLAF
containing information on the composition of the adulterated butter which for years was marketed in very
large quantities (at least 100 000 tonnes) by a criminal network inside and outside the European Union.

Can the Commission provide me with copies of the communications and/or minutes of meetings in which
representatives of the affected Member States gave their views on possible health risks resulting from the
adulterated butter, and draw up and forward a full list of completed and ongoing investigations, which also