91997E2633

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2633/97 by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE) to the Commission (22 July 1997)

Subject: Freedom of movement of German exchange students in France

German students encounter considerable difficulty when organizing a period of study at a French university and during their stay there. They are, for example, required to pay fees for residence certificates (FF 150 in Bordeaux), to present certified translations of all documents, the validity of which is, moreover, limited to three months, and to name guarantors resident in France. The Amiens prefecture even demanded of one female student proof that she was single. In the hostel of the University of Amiens foreign exchange students pay FF 300 more rent than French students. Although the authorities' administrative practices vary as regards formalities required in France, the mobility of students is hampered by such practices in some départements. It is inconsistent with the objectives pursued with the SOCRATES programme and, where fees are demanded, in direct contravention of Article 8a(1) of the EC Treaty and Directive 90/366/EEC ((OJ L 180, 13.7.1990, p. 30. )) on the right of residence for students.

1. Is the Commission aware of these difficulties encountered by German exchange students in the exercise of their right to free movement? If so, what action has it so far taken against them?

2. If the difficulties referred to have not yet come to the Commission's attention, what action does it intend to take in the future against such French administrative practices?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1997)

The Commission is aware of the difficulties still being encountered by foreign students when organising periods of study and residence abroad outside the framework of organised mobility programmes such as Socrates/Erasmus.

On a general level, as part of its follow-up to the Green Paper on the obstacles to transnational mobility ((Doc COM(96) 462 final. )) the Commission intends to develop, within the limits of its authority, legal instruments which will enable it to eliminate the obstacles to the free movement of students, teachers and researchers.

With particular regard to the supplement that foreign students are required to pay in university hostels in France, the Commission has taken the matter up with the French government, specifically with the Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CNOUS), with the result that the circulars relating to these supplementary charges have been amended in line with the applicable Community legislation. If the Honourable Member is aware of any specific cases where the amended circular is being ignored, he should notify the Commission, which will take the necessary steps immediately.

Finally, as regards the residence costs that foreign students are required to pay, these are covered by the legislation of the Member States and the Commission has no jurisdiction in this matter.