Doctors: free movement and mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and others formal qualifications

The rapporteur, Mrs Fontaine (EPP, F), was critical of the fact that the common position of the Council had only retained the editorial aspects of the amendments drawn up by Parliament. She took the view that nothing inordinate had been demanded at first reading, since the aim had been to adopt a dynamic approach to the issue of the free movement of doctors. As a result the Committee on Legal Affairs, by way of Amendment No 1, had reaffirmed its preference for a management committee (procedure IIb) instead of a regulatory committee; under Amendment No 2 it had restored the Consultative Committee for the training of doctors; finally, Amendment No 3 focused on the question of nationals from Member States who held diplomas awarded by third countries. While recognising that in its initial proposal the Commission has suggested setting-up a management committee, Commissioner Monti declared that his institution would finally accept the Council position; this would essentially mean rejecting Amendments Nos 1 and 4. As far as Amendments Nos 2 and 3 were concerned, the Commission shared Parliament’s views on the role of the committee responsible for doctors’ training and for the recognition of training qualifications acquired outside the EU. In conclusion, however, the Commissioner stressed that the Commission intended to abide by the common position of the Council, as this was well-balanced, comprehensive and legally correct.