EU tells Greece to mend its ways on architects’ degrees, insurance brokers
European Union regulators yesterday threatened to take Greece to the European Court for continuing to raise obstacles for architects with qualifications from other member states to practice their profession. The Commission decided to send Athens a reasoned opinion – the last step before referral to the court – asking it to comply immediately with the 2004 judgment of the court, according to which it had to accept the mutual recognition of qualifications in architecture with other member states and not just those degrees deemed equivalent in Greek legislation. Greece was also blamed for the Technical Chamber of Greece’s (TEE) significant delays in the processing of files and registration of EU nationals with architecture diplomas from abroad. Architects must register with TEE in order to practice the profession in Greece. The court had noted in its 2004 judgment that TEE chronically dismissed the files of those applying for recognition as inadequate – but without notifying the applicants. As a result, applications were often pending for up to 10 years. Also, of the 41 applications for recognition, only 21 had been successful. Greece later informed the EU of the measures taken to remedy these failures. However, the EU found these efforts inadequate and proceeded with a reasoned opinion. If Greece does not comply, the Commission can ask the court to impose daily fines. Along with Greece, the EU executive also threatened legal action against France for requiring chief architects of historical monuments to hold French passports, and against Spain for refusing to recognize Italian engineering qualifications. The latest information on infringement proceedings concerning all member states is available online (http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat-general/sgb/droit-com/index-en.htm). Insurance brokers Separately, the Commission said it is referring Germany, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Malta to the European Court for significant delays in adopting EU legislation regarding the setting up of national registers of insurance brokers. The compilation of such registers under specific strict criteria is required because only those brokers included in it have the right to offer their services in other member states. The deadline for the creation of the registers expired in January 2005. Sources said that Greece has notified the EU that since the relevant legislation is being prepared, the case against the country may ultimately be dropped. The Commission also said it has shelved another case against Greece after it abolished a legal provision requiring the compulsory registration of car insurers with the Association of Greek Insurance Companies and harmonized its legislation. The particular provision posed serious problems to the operations in Greece of insurance companies based in other member states.
