The First Mission within the Twinning Project Visited Georgia

On April 15, 2019, to support the development of the geographical indications and appellations of origin system in Georgia and its harmonization with the European Union GI protection system, the series of meetings were launched, the meetings are held in the framework of implementing EU Funded Twinning Project first stage. Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Italy visited Georgia, who will introduce in details to representatives of Sakpatenti, the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia, the National Wine Agency and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service the legislation and control system functioning in the field of geographical indications in the European Union, including Italy. They will also discuss the practical examples related to enforcement of rights on geographical indications. In their turn, Italian experts will familiarize with the legislative base and practice existing in Georgia, as a result of which they will prepare relevant recommendations and conclusions. At the next stage of the Project, on the basis of the recommendations, the parties will start drafting legislative acts regulating geographical indications. 

The Project on “Establishing Efficient Protection and Control System of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Georgia” is implemented in cooperation with the consortium of Italy and France. The main beneficiary of the Project is the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia Sakpatenti. The Project allows, through sharing experience and knowledge of leading countries in this direction, France and Italy, to create administrative and institutional mechanisms which will enhance the GI protection and control system in Georgia, as well as will strengthen the capacity and deepen the knowledge of the national institutions in this field. The Project also envisages increasing the role of producers associations and unions in the GIs protection system. 

The first series of meetings, which takes place at the office of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia Sakpatenti, will end on April 19, 2019.