EU/Moldova Agreement: protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

PURPOSE: conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an Agreement between the European Union and Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs. The Agreement will allow the reciprocal protection of the geographical indications of the Union and Moldova, as well as contribute to the approximation of legislation among the neighbouring countries of the Union.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

LEGAL BASIS: the first subparagraph of 207(4) first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: the European Union and Moldova, aim at the mutual protection of geographical indications (GIs) in order to improve the conditions of bilateral trade as well as to promote the quality in the food chain and stimulate the value for sustainable rural development.

The negotiations proceeded smoothly.

• For the EU, these negotiations had two objectives: on one hand expansion of the protection and use of the geographical indications system (the Republic of Moldova will protect the full list of EU GIs), on the other hand intervention at the source of potential misuses of EU GIs.
• Reciprocally, the Republic of Moldova has an interest to develop and protect their current geographical indications in the EU territory and strengthen its relation with the EU.

The present proposal is the result of bilateral negotiations concluded on 18 April 2011. The agreement provides for a mutual protection of geographical indications (PDOs and PGIs) protected in the respective Parties in order to improve the conditions of bilateral trade as well as to promote the quality in the food chain and stimulate the value for sustainable rural development.

Institutional aspects: certain tasks for implementation of the Agreement have been attributed to the Joint Committee set up pursuant to Article 11 thereof, including the power to amend certain technical aspects of the Agreement as well as certain Annexes thereto. The internal procedure for establishing the Union's position in that Joint Committee on matters relating to the Agreement should be defined. Other provisions are provided as regards the designations of origin for agricultural products and the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of spirit drinks.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.