Luxembourg, 06/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The 6 June Competitiveness Council adopted by qualified majority the draft directive on recognition of vocational qualifications. During a public debate, Poland underlined the importance of this new text. Germany (as in the first reading) and Greece voted against. Luxembourg abstained. The Council will take up all European Parliament amendments in the second reading, notably those on levels of vocational qualifications and therefore allow a conciliation committee procedure to be avoided.
The new directive will amend fifteen sectoral directives on regulated professions such as dentists, vets and architects. It is complementary to the correct draft services directive on the internal market (see other article). The “services” directive will apply to rules on professional insurance and vocational communications.