General Recognition of Diplomas and Free Movement of Professionals

Also available in French
The free movement of professionals is one of the elements of the area without internal frontiers which is being progressively achieved. It is also one of the essential acquired rights for a peoples' Europe, the achievement of which is so important for giving true meaning to the European construction. Finally, it is closely linked to education in its European dimension, which has been given full and rightful place by the Maastricht agreements.
These are therefore important questions which are being studied during these seminars, but for a variety of reasons they are also complex questions. Firstly, the text of the Directive of 21 December 1988, adopted as it was after painstaking discussions, is a long one, it contains complex procedures and is difficult to interpret. Secondly, the scope of the general system set up by this Directive is enormous, the outlines are vague and vary according to the Member States, depending on whether they regulate the pursuit of professional activities in their territory to a greater or lesser extent or more or less directly. Finally, as this general system does not introduce automatic recognition of professional qualifications - which is the result of the new approach it lakes - the States have a wide margin of assessment for resorting to countervailing and controlling measures.
Each Member State is faced with a large number of obligations as a result of this system. In accordance with its national procedures, it has to adopt implementing measures. It has to see that the competent authorities, appointed for the various activities covered, respect the guarantees offered to those covered by the Directive. Finally, it has to circulate adequate information on how it implements the recognition of professional qualifications.