About Us
European Union Office in Kosovo manages the EU funded project "Support to Recognition of Professional Qualifications" - two year technical assistance project, Implemented by WEglobal
RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications is an important part of the internal Market of the EU. The alignment of the national legislation in Kosovo including the institutional atructure with the EU Acquis on MRPQ will enable the citizens of Kosovo to practice their profession in another EU Member State after the accession of Kosovo to the EU. Furthermore, the EU directives on MRPQ are the basis for the Berlin process which will enable free movement of professionals in the Western Balkans countries
THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC
The Directive sets up a system for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the EU, which also extends, with certain adaptations, to the other
European Economic Area / European Free Trade Association (EEA/EFTA) countries and to Switzerland.
The aim of the Directive is to provide access to labour markets for professionals
in other EU MS’s, further facilitate cross-border service provision and simplify
administrative procedures.
The Directive introduced a mutual evaluation of national professional regulations and a transparency exercise (i.e. screening the entry restrictions to professions and assessing whether they are necessary).
- Furthermore, the Directive contains ongoing transparency obligations requiring all EU MS’s to report on the professions they regulate, and to communicate to the European Commission (EC) the reasons for considering that existing or new requirements comply with the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality.
- The Directive applies to all nationals of EU and EEA/EFTA countries and Switzerland wishing to pursue a regulated profession, either on a self-employed or on an employed basis, in a country other than that where they obtained their professional qualifications.
- The EC has published an interactive map of the regulated professions in the EU. These are professions to which access, or the right to practice, depends on having specific qualifications. They also include professions for which the use of a specific title is protected, such as chartered and certified accountants in Ireland.
- The Directive does not apply to professions covered by specific directives such as Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory auditors. In the case of lawyers, while their qualifications are covered by Directive 2005/36/EC, they also benefit from two specific directives (77/249/EEC and 98/5/EC) which introduce additional ways for them to provide cross-border services, either temporarily or by establishing themselves permanently in other Member States
EXPECTED PROJECT OUTPUTS
- The Internal Market is the foundation of the European Union. A territory without internal borders or regulatory obstacles to the free movement of goods, services, capital and people also known as the four basic freedoms. A well-functioning Internal/Single Market stimulates competition, aids trade, improves efficiency and raises quality.
- One of the most important tools the EU has to promote and strengthen the Internal Market is to harmonize the rules at the level of EU such as the Services Directive 123/06/EC and the Professional Qualifications Directives 36/05 & 55/13/EC. It is critical that the EU Member States (MS) stimulate the development of the service economy and make better use of the potential of the Single Market for Services as they represent 2/3 of the EU economy and account for approximately 90% of job creation.
- An important part of the obligations deriving from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the EU is the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ), part of Chapter 3 Right of establishment and freedom to provide services. The SAA is the main legal document for the relations between Kosovo and the EU.
- Free movement of professionals is one of the four basic freedoms and intrinsic part of the Internal Market. The alignment of the national legislation in Kosovo together with the institutional structure with the EU Acquis on MRPQ will enable the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo to practice their profession in another EU MS after the accession of Kosovo to the EU.
- Furthermore, the EU directives on MRPQ are the basis for the Berlin process which will enable free movement of professionals in the Western Balkans countries (WB6). Currently there are MRPQ agreements for all seven sectoral professions for all WB6 countries.
- The Project commenced on February 27th, 2023 and will last 24 months. The project objective is harmonising the national legislation on mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQ) with the EU Acquis. The lead beneficiary is the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), through the Division of Regulated Professions, Legal Department and the future National Point of Contact. There are other primary beneficiaries, relevant stakeholders as well as secondary beneficiaries since this chapter is very horizontal and involves many institutions.
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