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ACE adopts a motion calling on Brexit negotiators to replicate the provisions of the EU Professional Qualifications Directive

24.04.2018

On 20 April, on the occasion of its General Assembly in Brussels, the Architects' Council of Europe adopted a motion calling on Brexit negotiators to replicate the provisions of the EU Professional Qualifications Directive in any future agreement, in order to facilitate the mobility of EU and UK architects in Europe after the UK leaves the European Union.

The Architects' Council of Europe:

  • Notes that architecture is a global profession and that Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications in architecture, provided for in the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC), has supported and strengthened the growth of the architecture sector across Europe.
  • Believes that putting up barriers to practices being able to recruit the best talent will undermine Europe’s reputation for quality and professionalism in architecture around the world.
  • Notes that the European Commission and the UK Government have agreed to recognise qualifications for UK citizens currently resident in the EU27 and EU citizens resident in the UK as part of the draft withdrawal agreement of 19 March 2018.
  • Further notes that the European Commission and the UK Government have both stated publicly their desire to continue to recognise each other’s qualifications after Brexit.
  • Calls on the European Commission and Parliament and the UK Government to ensure that their negotiating mandates for the future relationship between the EU and the UK commit to replicating the provisions of the Professional Qualifications Directive in any agreement, so that EU and UK architects can continue to enjoy the benefits of Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications after the UK leaves the EU.

 

The President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Ben Derbyshire says: “The unanimous adoption of this motion by our colleagues in Europe illustrates how important this is for a global profession concerned with attracting and retaining the best talent.”

ACE President, Georg Pendl, said: "The European community of architects warns against the possible consequences of the Brexit for the mobility of European and UK architects. We call on the negotiators on both sides to maintain the actual status quo concerning the principle of mutual recognition of qualifications in our profession. We strongly oppose any steps which would result in restricting the existing options of coworking. The architectural profession is a creative profession, and for many decades, not to say centuries, it has been accustomed to an approach that it open to the outside. The exchange of experience, approaches, ways of designing and working is a key prerequisite for creative and innovative processes, and is the basis for the development of culture, skills and innovation in the profession. We appeal to those concerned not to limit these opportunities".

Download the ACE motion on Brexit

 


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