“Ninotsminda Honey”, “Bolnisi”, “Salkhino Ojaleshi” and Three Other Geographical Indications May be Granted Protection on the Territory of the European Union in the Future

The 5th meeting of EU-Georgia Sub-Committee on Geographical Indications under the Association Agreement with the European Union, took place in hybrid mode. Representatives of Sakpatenti and various ministries on behalf of Georgia attended the meeting.

Acting Chairperson of Sakpatenti, Ms. Manana Pruidze, together with the members of the European Union delegation discussed the significant issues related to the status and protection of Georgian geographical indications, as well as possible granting of protection to six new Georgian geographical indications, namely, five Georgian appellations of wine - “Salkhino Ojaleshi”, “Tsarapi”, “Akhmeta” (Akhmetis Mtsvane), “Akhoebi”, “Bolnisi” and also “Ninotsminda Honey” on the territory of the European Union, including the status of internal procedures ongoing in the European Union.

At the meeting, the parties discussed various outstanding issues, presented information on the status, protection and enforcement of Georgian geographical indications, as well as on the internal procedures related to new geographical indications in the European Union and Georgia. The recent developments in the legislative and strategic fields related to the system of geographical indications were also considered during the meeting. 

The conversation touched upon the effective enforcement of rights on the Georgian geographical indication “Sulguni” by the European Union on the Estonian market, as well as the successful projects implemented in the direction of geographical indications. At the meeting, the results of the EU-funded TWINNING Project were introduced to the members of the Sub-committee. The experience and knowledge gained within this project will essentially facilitate the development of the GI system in Georgia. In addition, the parties exchanged information on successful integration of Georgian geographical indications into “GIview” – the examination tool of geographical indications of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The EU-Georgia Sub-Committe on Geographical Indications is established in accordance with the Article 179 of the Association Agreement and monitors the implementation of the Agreement in the field of geographical indications, as well as functions as  a cooperation and dialogue forum in regard with geographical indications.