MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
13 March 2002
by Jorge Hernández Mollar
on recognition of academic qualifications in the EU
B5‑0109/2002
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on recognition of academic qualifications in the EU
The European Parliament,
A. having regard to the need to encourage the mobility of professionals within the single European market,
B. whereas such mobility is undermined by the fact that most Member States require validation of the existing academic qualifications of professionals from 'outside' who wish to establish themselves in an EU country other than their Member State of origin,
C. whereas this practice of requiring validation of qualifications results in a form of protectionism exerted by Member States in favour of their own nationals.
D. whereas a genuinely Community-minded approach must reject this dominant practice which hinders the free movement of professionals within the EU,
1. Calls for the automatic recognition of the academic qualifications issued by all Member States, with a view to facilitating the free movement of members of the liberal professions throughout the Union;
2. Calls on the Member States to repeal the existing protectionist legislation currently operated on the pretext of the need to validate qualifications;
3. Recommends the establishment of an advisory body at Community level to deal with all such special circumstances as may arise to hinder the free movement of members of the liberal professions throughout the EU.