The Second Meeting of the Steering Committee of the EU Funded Twinning Project on “Establishing Efficient Protection and Control System of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Georgia” (GE/16 ENI EC 0318)

Today, on July, 2019, the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the EU funded Twinning Project on “Establishing Efficient Protection and Control System of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Georgia” (GE/16 ENI EC 0318) took place at the Head Office of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia Sakpatenti, during which the Action Plan for the next 6 months and the conducted activities were presented.

 The above-mentioned Plan envisages studying and revising the current legislation in Georgia, including the by-laws, and drafting new regulating acts, if necessary. In addition, according to the Plan, the resources of the beneficiaries and producers unions/association involved in the Project will be evaluated in order to identify their needs. To ensure efficient functioning of the GI system, it is significant to achieve effective coordination between the participating offices. According to the Plan, intensive work will start in this direction as well. During the meeting the Action and Communication Plan was signed for the period from August 1, 2019, to January 31, 2020.

The objective of the Project is to support the development of the geographical indications and appellations of origin system in Georgia and its harmonization with the GI protection system functioning in the European Union. The Project also aims to create administrative and institutional mechanisms which will strengthen capacity and deepen knowledge in this field. In addition, the Project envisages increasing the role of producers associations and unions in the development of the geographical indications system.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Union, heads and staff members of the beneficiary offices, the Project leaders and team members, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, the Revenue Service, as well as representatives of the Embassies of France and Italy in Georgia.