23.12.78 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 362/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 18 December 1978 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in veterinary medicine, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services (78/1026/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 49, 57, 66 and 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas, pursuant to the Treaty, all discriminatory treatment based on nationality with regard to establishment and provision of services is prohibited as from the end of the transitional period; whereas the principle of such treatment based on nationality applies in particular to the grant of any authorization required to practise as a veterinary surgeon and also to the registration with or membership of professional organizations or bodies; Whereas it nevertheless seems desirable that certain provisions be introduced to facilitate the effective exer- cise of the right of establishment and freedom to pro- vide services in respect of the activities of veterinary surgeons; Whereas, pursuant to the Treaty, the Member States are required not to grant any form of aid likely to distort the conditions of establishment; (1) OJ No C 92, 20. 7. 1970, p. 18. () O] No C 19, 28. 2. 1972, p. 10. () OJ No C 60, 14. 6. 1971, p. 3. Whereas Article 57 (1) of the Treaty provides that Directives be issued for mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications; whereas the aim of this Directive is the recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications whereby activities in the field of veterinary medicine may be taken up and pursued; Whereas, in view of the differences between the Member States regarding the nature and duration of the training of veterinary surgeons, certain coordinating provisions designed to enable Member States to proceed with the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications should be laid down; whereas such coordination has been effected by Council Directive 78/1027/EEC of 18 December 1978 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect of the activities of veterinary surgeons (*); Whereas, with regard to the possession of a formal certificate of training, since a Directive on the mutual recognition of diplomas does not necessarily imply equivalence in the training covered by such diplomas, the use of such qualifications should be authorized only in the language of the Member State of origin or of the Member State from which the foreign national comes; Whereas, to facilitate the application of this Directive by the national authorities, Member States may pre- scribe that, in addition to formal certificates of training, the person who satisfies the conditions of training re- quired by this Directive must provide a certificate from the competent authorities of his country of origin or of (4) Sce page 7 of this Official Journal.