Higher education: general system for the recognition of diplomas (Direct. 89/48/EEC). Report

The Committee on Legal Affairs gave a generally favourable reaction to the Commission's report on the implementation of the directive of 21 December 1988 on the mutual recognition of qualifications. The rapporteur, Mrs Nicole FONTAINE (EPP, F), said that there had been problems with delays in implementing the directive. The main requirement for successful implementation of the directive is striking a balance between the right to recognition of qualifications in the host state and measures to take account of the realities in each state (e.g. professional experience, reorientation courses, aptitude tests). Migrants were often unaware of their rights in this area and the Legal Affairs Committee, in its motion for a resolution, is calling for increased dialogue between national authorities and the Commission, an adequate system of information and greater transparency. In some Member States there are restrictions on the numbers allowed to enter a profession. The rapporteur believed that this might eventually cause problems because of increasing mobility within the EU. She is calling on the Commission to carry out a study into the matter.