92002E0275

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0275/02

by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission

(8 February 2002)

Subject: Recognition of a German medical specialist qualification in Corfu, Greece

Following a decision of 13 October 2000 by the Greek Ministry of Health in Athens (No Y9a/6376) the sonography certificate of a fully qualified gynaecologist trained in Germany is not immediately recognised in Greece. The specialist first has to study for a further six months in a clinic before taking another examination. Does this comply with EU directives?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2002)

Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications(1) is based on a minimum harmonisation of the training and on the automatic recognition for professional purposes of the qualifications of doctor listed therein. It concerns General Practitioners as well as those medical specialisations that are incorporated into the directive. Specialisations can be common to all or common to at least two Member States. While the first would give the right to automatic recognition in all Member States, the second gives only the right to automatic recognition in those Member States for which the specialisation in question has been incorporated into the directive.

The specialisation in gynaecology is common to all Member States and is obtained after a minimum length of training of four years.

The German diploma Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe therefore has to be recognised automatically by the Greek authorities, if held by a citizen of a Member State or a citizen of a third country benefiting from the accessory rights under Article 11 of Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community(2). Additional examinations before the recognition would be granted, are therefore, contrary to Directive 93/16/EEC.

(1) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993.

(2) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.