Greece will adopt controversial European Union legislation aimed at granting equal recognition to private colleges and state universities in the first six months of 2009, Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis revealed over the weekend. But, the minister stressed, this will not mean that a graduate of a foreign college will immediately gain the professional rights afforded to university graduates.

Distinctions regarding professional rights “is something we will discuss in due course,” Stylianidis told Apogevmatini’s Sunday edition. To acquire professional rights, foreign college graduates will “either take extra lessons and sit evaluation examinations or do a few years of practical experience to supplement their knowledge and skills,” Stylianidis said.

The proposals of university professors and professional groups, who have opposed the reforms, will be taken into account in the process of adopting the EU law, he added.