Brussels, 20/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is pursuing procedures against Greece, Portugal and France for infringements of the legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications:
- Greece: The Commission is to bring an action before the Court of Justice for non-compliance with Directive 89/48 on recognition of higher education diplomas awarded to professional training of at least three years' duration. It does not consider that Greece has complied with the conditions for the compensatory measures (aptitude test or adaptation period) that might apply to migrants, also by excluding from the system persons who have already practised their profession in Greece. It is also contesting employment conditions for public sector engineers, and for registering migrant members of the profession with the competent professional body, the "Greek Technical Chamber" (TEE).
- Portugal: The Commission is to bring an action before the Court of Justice in connection with Portuguese legislation on the profession of "odontologista". It considers that the legislation defines "odontologistas" as competing with dental surgeons, even though their training and qualifications do not comply with the directives on recognition of dentists' qualifications (78/686 and 78/687).
- France: The Commission has decided to send France a reasoned opinion for failing to comply with a Court Judgement of 10 May 2001 on the recognition of diplomas for psychologists. If France fails to adopt measures to comply with Directive 89/48, "the Court may impose a penalty", according to a Commission press release.