Today, on May 31, 2018, Agreement on the Mutual Recognition and Protection of Geographical Indications, Appellations of Origin and Indications of Source between Georgia and the Swiss Confederation was signed in Bern. The signing ceremony took place at the office of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. On behalf of Georgia, the Agreement was signed by Mr. Nikoloz Gogilidze, Chairman of National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia Sakpatenti. On the basis of the signed Agreement, according to the principle of reciprocity, Georgian geographical indications, appellations of origin and indications of source were protected on the territory of the Swiss Confederation, the procedures related with their use and rights enforcement were also defined.
After the ceremony, a reception took place on occasion of signing the Agreement between the Georgian and the Swiss Parties and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of independence of Georgia, organized by the Embassy of Georgia to the Swiss Confederation and Sakpatenti. The reception was attended by representatives of the Diplomatic Corpse accredited in the Swiss Confederation as well as local private companies. At the event, the guests were given an opportunity to taste wines protected by Georgian appellations of origin and Georgian traditional dishes. In addition, Mr. Giorgi Samanishvili, wine expert, offered to the guests an overview of the history of Georgian wine and Georgian traditions. The event was aimed to facilitate popularization of wines of Georgian appellations of origin in the Swiss Confederation.