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

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

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/7/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of 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 the Republic of Moldova, as well as contribute to the approximation of legislation among the neighbouring countries of the Union.

In accordance with Council Decision 2012/292/EU of 31 May 2012, the Agreement was signed on 26 June 2012, subject to its conclusion.

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

CONTENT: this decision marks the approval on behalf of the Union of the agreement between the EU and Moldova on the protection of geographical indications (GIs) of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

The Agreement seeks to improve the conditions of bilateral trade as well as to promote the quality in the food chain and stimulate sustainable rural development.

• For the EU, the Agreement will facilitate the expansion of the protection and use of the geographical indications system (the Republic of Moldova will protect the full list of EU GIs), as well as the intervention at the source of potential misuses of EU GIs.
• For Moldova, the Agreement will enable the development and protection of its current geographical indications in the EU territory and strengthen its relation with the EU.

Management of the Agreement: certain tasks for the 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 is defined to this effect giving the Commission the power to decide on certain detailed provisions on the methods for the use of geographical indications (and only in the case of litigation or objection to the use of GIs) in accordance with the executive competences conferred by Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 3 December 2012. The Agreement will enter into force once the necessary procedures to this effect have been completed.