The second round of negotiations on the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on Mutual Recognition and Protection of Geographical Indications took place on 23 March this year, in Georgia.
The official delegation of the Republic of Moldova was led by Lilia Bolocan, Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI). Nikoloz Gogilidze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (SAKPATENTI), led the negotiations on behalf of Georgia.
The participants in the negotiations exchanged opinions and information on the latest developments in the geographical indications system in the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Subsequently, the parties brought up for discussion the text of the draft Agreement on mutual protection of geographical indications, focusing on issues related to the recognition, use and protection of GIs, their relationship with trademarks, and the bilateral cooperation mechanism to be implemented to ensure the effective implementation of the future Agreement, including through the establishment of a Joint Committee.
Negotiations have demonstrated the high level of relations between the Republic of Moldova and Georgia and the mutual desire of the two sides to intensify cooperation and to offer new opportunities for using traditional products from the Republic of Moldovan and Georgia.
Negotiations on the draft Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on the recognition and protection of geographical indications were initiated by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Moldova No.415-VIII of October 30, 2017.
We should mention that the first round of negotiations was organized in Chisinau on November 14, 2017, with the participation of representatives of the Moldovan authorities and the delegation of Georgia.