Brussels, 02/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to launch infringement proceedings against five Member States for failure to properly apply EU legislation concerning recognition of professional qualifications.
Austria (dentists). The Commission is taking Austria to court for failure to apply EU legislation concerning dentists (Directives 87/686 and 87/687), criticising Austria for extending to "Dentisten" (who aren't doctors) measures preserving the rights of doctors who practised dentistry in Austria before the new profession of "Zahnartzt" was established since this confusion means that "Dentisten" cannot set up as dentists in other Member States. The commission takes the view that the Austrian legislation does not draw a clear enough line between medicine and the mew profession of dentistry, as required by the Directives.
Belgium and Ireland (nurses). The Commission has decided to take Belgium and Ireland to court for failing to transpose Directive 2000/5 before 27 February 2001. The Directive facilitates the recognition of the qualifications of specialist nurses and waste management experts.
Germany (GPs). The Commission is sending Germany a Reasoned Opinion concerning incorrect application of Directive 93/16/EEC on the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of the their diplomas since by creating training as a "specialist in general medicine" Germany is refusing to grant migrant GPs automatic recognition as a "Fachartzt für Allgemeinmedizin", only recognising them as "praktische Ärtze", ie with lower level qualifications than those to which they should be entitled.
Greece (engineers and teachers). The Commission is sending Greece a Reasoned Opinion concerning Greek legislation's failure to comply with Directive 89/48/EEC on a general system for the recognition of high education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration, particularly for engineering and the teaching profession, criticising conditions for compensation measures (an aptitude test or an adaptation period) applicable to migrants and the exclusion from the benefits of the Directive of people who have already pursued their profession in Greece under unregulated conditions. The Commission notes that complaints received from engineers indicate that the Directive is being misapplied since the Greek authorities are demanding a certificate of academic equivalence for professional education diplomas for the purposes of recruitment and determining conditions of employment in the civil service and for registering migrant professionals with the competent professional body, the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).