Good news for Moldovan wine: EU and Moldova conclude talks on Geographical Indications
Moldova’s wine industry will be among the first to benefit after the EU and Moldova today concluded negotiations on an agreement to protect their respective Geographical Indications. A Commission press release said the agreement aimed at “promoting and fostering trade relations in agricultural products and foodstuffs originating in the territories of both Moldova and the European Union.”
EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Cioloş said: “This agreement is a further step in strengthening our system of GIs around the world, and it also gives relations between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova a new, positive dynamic. It builds a stronger partnership, aiming at promoting and protecting quality products, benefiting farmers and industries in both Moldova and the EU. Agriculture could be one of the anchors for the closer integration of the Moldovan economy in the EU common market.”
Moldova is the second among the EU neighbourhood countries after Georgia to negotiate an agreement with the EU that would help promote the quality of agricultural production and protect consumers by ensuring that they are not misled on the true origin and quality of the product. Also, “through this agreement, Moldova is adapting its domestic legislation to the highest standards on the protection of intellectual property rights,” the press release said.
The initial protection of two wine Geographical Indications originating from Moldova is expected to help market these products on the EU market and foster the system of protection of GIs in Moldova by extending it to other categories of products. It should also help promote the GIs system, bring tourism to the regions and launch marketing strategies for new markets.
“The agreement, which should serve as a dynamic instrument that will lead to the improvement in the quality of the products traded between the European Union and Moldova,” the press release said, adding: “It will introduce a mechanism for updates and for regular consultations, which will help when it comes to integrating new products in the list of the Geographical Indications.”
