WRITTEN QUESTION E-0160/03 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Delayed recognition of diplomas owing to technicalities.
Date: 2003-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, United Kingdom, administrative formalities, application of EU law, engineer, recognition of diplomas, recognition of vocational training qualifications

C 84 E/456

Official Journal of the European Union

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3.4.2004

As regards the future contributions of the current Member States to the Community budget in the period
2004-2006, this is impossible to predict exactly, as, similar to the situation referred to in the previous
paragraph, this will depend on a number of factors including the future implementation of the Community
budget as well as rates of economic growth in the Member States. However, detailed information on the
current Member States’ shares in payments to the Community budget can be found in the following report:
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/pdf/agenda2000/report2001_en.pdf).

As regards the commercial gains to be expected from Union enlargement, it is clear that the whole process
of enlargement has already brought major economic gains for both the current and future Member States
as markets have gradually opened and trade increased significantly. The positive economic impact of
enlargement is detailed in a Commission study published in 2001 and to be found on the DG Economic
and Financial Affairs website
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/enlarge-
ment_papers/enlargementpapers04_en.htm).

at:

A number of country specific studies on the costs and benefits of Union enlargement are available on the
Commission’s DG Budget website: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/financing/enlargement_en.htm).

Enlargement is, of course, not simply a matter of weighing budgetary costs against commercial gain.
Enlargement is a historic process, through which all participants stand to gain substantially in terms of
increased security and stability across the continent.

(2004/C 84 E/0531)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0160/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Delayed recognition of diplomas owing to technicalities

(29 January 2003)

A civil engineer with a diploma from a UK university applied to the Greek centre for the recognition of
foreign qualifications (Dikatsa) for recognition of his degree. Dikatsa approved the application on condition
that the person concerned passed examinations in three subjects at a Greek polytechnic. After applying to
take the examinations, he was informed that he could do so in 3-4 years’ time! The explanation he was
given for this situation was that only 20 people a year were examined. In the meantime, he has no other
option but to work in a civil engineering firm under colleagues with equivalent qualifications and the same
experience but higher salaries!

Do not such practices (which are obviously approved or tolerated by the Greek Ministry of Education)
seriously undermine Community legislation on the recognition of diplomas in the EU and the principle of
non-discrimination, and for purely administrative reasons? Will the Commission ask the Greek authorities
to put an end to these delays in recognising degrees awarded by other Member States, which are caused
purely by technicalities?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2003)

The honourable Member’s question prompts the following comments:

(cid:1) First of all, a distinction must be made between recognition for academic and professional purposes.

(cid:1) With regard to the former type of recognition, the general aim is to allow those to whom it applies to
continue their studies in another Member State or to make use of their academic qualification in that
country. It should be pointed out that in accordance with the EC Treaty each Member State is

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Official Journal of the European Union

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responsible for the content of its teaching and the organisation of its own education system and that
there are no Community provisions requiring the academic recognition of qualifications, provided that
there is compliance with the principle of non-discrimination.

(cid:1) Recognition for professional purposes, however, is intended to permit those to whom it applies to
exercise a regulated professional activity in a Member State other than that in which they have
acquired their professional qualifications. This type of recognition is governed by Community law and,
with specific reference to engineering qualifications, by Directive 89/48/EEC. In accordance with this
directive, a person who does not possess a required national qualification cannot in principle be
refused access, by the authorities of the host Member State, to a given profession on the territory of
that Member State nor denied the right to exercise the profession, provided that in his Member State
of origin he possesses the qualification which is required to access the same profession or which
prepares him to exercise the profession. However, where there are substantial differences between the
training acquired by the applicant and that required in the host Member State, the applicant may be
required to undergo an adaptation period or to take an aptitude test in order to bridge the gap.

(cid:1) It should also be pointed out that the Commission has received several complaints about the improper
in addition to certain aspects with regard to the incorrect
application of Directive 89/48/EEC,
transposition of
the directive. The difficulties in applying the directive concern primarily the
requirement of an academic qualification for enrolment in the Greek Technical Chamber and for
appointment to posts in the civil service, and this has also affected people who have already obtained
professional recognition of their qualifications in accordance with Directive 89/48/EEC. The fact is
that such professional recognition must permit those to whom it applies to exercise the profession for
which they are qualified under the same conditions as those who have gained their professional
qualifications in Greece. Since Directive 89/48/EEC has to a considerable extent been rendered
ineffective in Greece, the Commission decided at its meeting on 17 December 2002 to bring before
the Court of Justice an action for non-compliance against Greece in connection with the improper
transposition and application of Directive 89/48/EEC.

(2004/C 84 E/0532)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0162/03

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2003)

Subject: Duties on canned Asiatic tuna

The European canning industry, particularly in Galicia,
the possible
reductions in duties on canned tuna from the Philippines and Thailand which, it appears, may be being
considered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

is extremely concerned about

Is the Commission aware of the damage this type of measure could cause to the European canning
industry, in particular that of Galicia, at a time when Galicia is already burdened with huge economic
problems owing to the ‘Prestige’ oil tanker accident?

What steps will the Commission take in order to prevent such a measure from being adopted?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

The Commission is aware of the importance of the tuna canning industry in Galicia and appreciates the
concern in relation to reduced tariffs for Community imports of canned tuna from Thailand and the
Philippines. It also appreciates the difficulties being experienced in that region following the ‘Prestige’
accident.