The 11th meeting of the Moldova-EU Association Committee in Trade Configuration took place on November 14-15, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium.

The event, on behalf of the Republic of Moldova, was attended by representatives of the ministries and authorities responsible for the areas concerned, including the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), as the public authority responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement in the field of intellectual property in the Republic of Moldova. Representatives of the main directorates-general of the EU Commission were also present at the meeting.

The meeting was co-chaired by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, Cristina Ceban and Marco Düerkop, Deputy Head of Unit for Europe and Eastern Neighborhood - DG TRADE within the European Commission.

During the meeting, representatives of the Republic of Moldova presented the developments recorded on the pillar components that underlie the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area: the dynamics of the Republic of Moldova’s foreign trade, with an emphasis on the evolution of trade with European partners, including the use of export/import quotas, the harmonization of national legislation with the European Union acquis in the areas of intellectual property rights, public procurement, trade in services, quality infrastructure and market surveillance, etc.

In accordance with the meeting agenda, the Director General of AGEPI, Eugeniu Rusu, presented online the report on the progress recorded in the field of intellectual property, with an emphasis on legislative and institutional updates, also highlighting the results of the recent meeting of the EU - Republic of Moldova Geographical Indications Sub-Committee, which took place on October 22 this year. AGEPI also highlighted the efforts made by the Republic of Moldova to strengthen the intellectual property protection system and implement the European Commission recommendations included in the 2023 Enlargement Package.

European Commission officials appreciated the efforts of the Republic of Moldova in harmonizing intellectual property legislation with EU standards and ensuring compliance with intellectual property rights.

The meetings of the RM-EU Association Committee in Trade Configuration are organized annually and have the role of addressing the most important progress, as well as challenges in the implementation of the DCFTA component of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.