An online meeting took place on June 17, this year, between the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and representatives of the Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia) and the Republic of Moldova. The delegation of the Republic of Moldova was led by the Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), Viorel Iustin.

During the meeting were addressed topics of interest to intellectual property (IP) offices, being made an exchange of views on the latest developments in the field of IP. Participants in the meeting also exchanged views on the priorities of intellectual property offices in the conditions of current crisis caused by the new coronavirus and the prospects for developing cooperation relations with EUIPO in the coming period.

Those present showed their willingness to strengthen their efforts to overcome the difficulties generated by COVID-19 and to further implement the joint projects, the most important of which is to take over the common practices developed under the EUIPO Convergence Programme, to integrate and use within the procedures of the IP offices the EUIPO tools, such as DesignView, e-Search Plus etc.

AGEPI representatives reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to continue its efforts to align with European standards, appreciating EUIPO’s openness to support the Republic of Moldova, including through integration into EUIPO’s information systems, transposition of Community legislation, strengthening the institutional and human capacities of the IP office, providing consultancy and implementation of joint projects.

Recognizing that in a globalized world, progress is only possible through cooperation and joint efforts, AGEPI expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with EUIPO, Member States and Balkan countries and welcomed EUIPO’s initiative to organize regional meetings on topics of common interest.

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EUIPO is a decentralized agency of the European Union based in Alicante, Spain. The Agency manages the registration of European Union trademarks and Community designs, which guarantee protection of intellectual property rights in all EU Member States. EUIPO also carries out cooperation activities with EU national and regional intellectual property offices.