Akkoord tussen EU en Moldavië over de bescherming van geografische herkomstaanduidingen (en)

The European Union and Moldova have concluded negotiations on an agreement to protect their respective Geographical Indications (GIs). Through this agreement Moldova will ensure high level protection for more than 3 200 European GIs for food products, wines and spirits. Also aimed at promoting and fostering trade relations in agricultural products and foodstuffs originating in the territories of both Moldova and the European Union, the text of the agreement was initialled today.

"This agreement is a further step in strengthening our system of GIs around the world, and it also gives relations between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova a new, positive dynamic. It builds a stronger partnership, aiming at promoting and protecting quality products, benefiting farmers and industries in both Moldova and the EU. Agriculture could be one of the anchors for the closer integration of the Moldovan economy in the EU common market", according to EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Ciolos i.

Moldova is the second among the EU Neighbourhood Countries after Georgia to take this important step forward in promoting and protecting the quality of agricultural production. The objective of these negotiations is to better protect consumers in terms of not being misled on the true origin and quality of the product. Furthermore, through this agreement, Moldova is adapting its domestic legislation to the highest standards on the protection of intellectual property rights.

The agreement is a response to the willingness expressed by the EU Member States to promote the protection of Geographical Indications internationally and is a reflection of the converging views of the European Union and Moldova on matters related to quality policy, consumer protection and intellectual property.

Moldova is traditionally renowned for the importance of its wine production; the development of the Geographical Indications should significantly contribute to the diversification of this sector. The initial protection of 2 wine Geographical Indications originating from Moldova is expected to help marketing of these products on the EU market and encourage developing the system of protection of GIs in Moldova, for example by extending it to other categories of products. It should also encourage the development of new initiatives related to the valorisation of the GIs system, bringing tourism to the regions and launching marketing strategies for new markets.

The agreement should serve as a dynamic instrument that will lead to the improvement in the quality of the products traded between the European Union and Moldova. It will introduce a mechanism for updates and for regular consultations, which will help when it comes to integrating new products in the list of the Geographical Indications.

Bilateral agreements have been concluded or are under negotiation with most of the EU's trading partners. The same position is defended by the EU at multilateral level, namely in the World Trade Organization i.

The Agreement will now be passed to Council and the European Parliament - and to the legislative authorities in Moldova - where it must be approved before its final entry into force.

More information:

DOOR database for details of the EU GIs in agricultural products and foodstuffs:

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/list.html

e-Bacchus database for the EU wine GIs:

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/wine/e-bacchus/index.cfm?event=pwelcome&language=EN

EU spirits GIs

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/spirits/index.cfm?event=searchIndication