7th Meeting of the Republic of Moldova - European Union Association Committee reunited in Trade Configuration (ACTC) took place during the period October 20-21. The event was held in videoconference regime, the delegation of our country being led by the State Secretary Iuliana Dragalin, and the European one by Marco Düerkop, Deputy Head of Unit for Europe and Eastern Neighborhood in the European Commission.

The most important progress and challenges in implementing the DCFTA component of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union are addressed in the annual meetings of the Association Committee in Trade Configuration. This year’s session included topics aimed at the main achievements in implementing the commitments deriving from the Association Agreement on foreign trade, public procurement, quality infrastructure, intellectual property, energy issues, trade in services, and competition.

The State Secretary Iuliana Dragalin mentioned that the 7th Meeting represents a good opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the commitments undertaken within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). In this context, Iuliana Dragalin thanked the European Union for its continuous support and good cooperation in the implementation of the DCFTA.

Regarding the field of intellectual property, the representatives of the European Commission informed the Chisinau authorities that following consultations conducted by the Commission with interested parties from the European Union, the intellectual property rights protection regime of the Republic of Moldova was appreciated at a fairly high level, being in line with that of the Union.

Among the areas that were identified as needing further reform, the Brussels partners mentioned the system of collective management of copyright and related rights, an area that is considered sensitive in many European countries. In the same vein, the European delegation expressed its full willingness to continue supporting AGEPI’s efforts to strengthen the management system.

The AGEPI representative present at the meeting reviewed the most important developments in the field of intellectual property at legislative and institutional level since the last meeting and briefed the European partners on the Agency’s initiatives for the next period, in particular those aimed at identifying solutions to minimize the impact of COVID19 pandemic on the intellectual property system.

The results of the RM-EU Geographical Indications Sub-Committee, which took place on October 19 this year and whose mistrust was highly appreciated by both parties, were also reported to the Committee.

It should be mentioned that from the Republic of Moldova participated representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, National Bank of Moldova, Competition Council, Customs Service, State Agency on Intellectual Property, and from the European Commission participated specialists in in the field of trade, international relations, as well as representatives of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.