WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1307/98 by Amedeo AMADEO , Salvatore TATARELLA to the Commission. Anti-prohibitionist demonstrations
C 354/90 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 A further concrete measure taken under the Erasmus Programme to promote a better understanding of matters relating to recognition of academic qualifications has been to create a network of national academic recognition information centres (NARIC). Finally, a third initiative aiming at promoting transparency of diplomas, thus facilitating their recognition, was launched in September 1997. It involves a pilot project implemented jointly with the Council of Europe and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The idea is to study the feasibility of introducing a European administrative annex to diplomas. The results will be available in a few monthsí time. As regards recognition of professional diplomas, several Community directives have been adopted on the recognition by Member States, for the purpose of allowing access to a regulated profession, of qualifications obtained in another Member State. It should be noted that these directives apply to professional people (and not students), i. e. people who possess all the qualifications required for practising a given profession in a Member State. Directive 89/48/CEE on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three yearsí duration has been transposed into Italian law by ádecreto legislativeí, No 115 of 27 January 1992 (1), which lays down the conditions that the holder of the diploma must fulfil in order to obtain recognition. (1) GU 40, 18. 2. 1992. (98/C 354/144) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1307/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Anti-prohibitionist demonstrations In view of the European Parliamentís final report by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark on combating drugs, the setting up of the Europol Drugs Unit (EDU) in The Hague and the creation of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which are unequivocal evidence of the Unionís commitment to combating drugs, and in the light of what happened in London during a demonstration held by anti-prohibitionists, can the Commission prevail upon the Member States to provide the general public with accurate information? Among other things they should be told that colourful and apparently harmless demonstrations by anti-prohibitionist organisations, for example, which under a playful exterior conceal the threat of propaganda promoting consumption, may be authorised only if they comply with the principles promoted by the Union. Can the Commission also prevail upon the British authorities to ensure implementation of the existing rules banning the sale and consumption of drugs and the introduction of measures aimed at reducing the demand for drugs in the interests of young peopleís health, education and rehabilitation? Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (16 June 1998) The need to provide to the citizen reliable and comparable information on the drugs situation in Europe has been recognized by the creation, in Lisbon, of the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction. The Commissionís role is to take any useful initiative to encourage co-operation between the Member States, to support their action and to promote the co-ordination of Member Statesí policies and programmes in the prevention field. In this context, a Community action programme on the prevention of drug dependence, for the years 1996-2000, is being implemented by the Commission, in close co-operation with the Member States. The Commission would point out that any permission to demonstrate is the responsibility of the Member States