On 1 March this year, AGEPI Director General, Octavian Apostol had a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Eduard Grama. From AGEPI, at the meeting were also present the Deputy Director General, Svetlana Munteanu and the Head of Legal Department, Diana Stici. The meeting was also attended by the Director of the National Office of Vine and Wine, Dumitru Munteanu, Head of Viticulture and Winemaking Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Valeriu Cibotaru and specialists from these institutions.

AGEPI and MAFI specialists discussed about the current situation on the protection of geographical indications (GIs), appellations of origin (AO) and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG), in the context of interest displayed by local producers to use regional products by accessing this specific system of quality. Representatives of the two institutions mentioned the importance of the field of geographical indications and appellations of origin for our country. Moldova has a modern normative basis, harmonized with the European legislation on the protection of GIs and AO, but the competitive potential and multiple economic advantages of this system are not used sufficiently.

It is imperatively necessary a change of attitude in this respect: strengthening institutional capacity and creation of practical mechanisms with the view of developing the system of GIs and AO, joint efforts of the two institutions in order to identify effective mechanisms to support local producers, including the opportunities that are to be provided to them to boost the GI, AO and TSG registration process.

During the meeting AGEPI and MAFI representatives made an overview of the current status on the common normative drafts and discussed the ways of cooperation to ensure the implementation of all joint actions provided for in the policy documents, including those related to the development and intensive promotion of the national GI, AO and TSG protection system by organizing seminars, roundtables, trainings, etc.

Another topic on the agenda was related to the protection of trademarks in the context of the Draft Government Decision on management of trademarks - state property for alcoholic products, promoted by MAFI.

At the end of the meeting, AGEPI Director General, Octavian Apostol and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Eduard GRAMA have agreed to intensify the cooperation in all areas where the two institutions are targeted.

Currently, two appellations of origin: Ciumai and Romanesti, and four geographical indications: Divin, Codru, Stefan Voda and Valul lui Traian are registered in the Republic of Moldova. In December 2015, AGEPI received two new applications for the registration of geographical indications: Rose petal jam Calarasi and Apricot brandy Nimoreni.