Brussels, 15/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The "Competitiveness" Council had a debate on Thursday over the directive that will merge into a single text the fifteen existing directives and reduce from 300 to 60 the number of articles devoted to the mutual recognition of qualifications in seven professions (doctors, nurses, general medical practitioners, dentists, veterinary surgeons, midwives, chemists and architects). The presidency's goal was to come up with guidelines for points still in suspense, to allow for the adoption of a common position in May 2003.
A majority of Member states spoke in favour of a simplification of the system of committees responsible for preparing decisions; but Germany considered that a single committee risked not having sufficient expertise in all fields. Italy and Luxembourg suggest a single committee, but one that changes structure depending on the subject. Most Member states would also want information on migrants to be improved, notably through central databanks in matters of health. Reponses, however, were more reserved on two other questions put by the presidency: control over the practice of a profession without authorisation mechanism in the host Member state, and the type of guarantee demanded for the provision of occasional or temporary cross-border services.