The Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia will strengthen their systems for the protection of intellectual property rights within a project supported by the European Union. This is the EU4IP project that also aims to promote innovation and competitiveness in countries that are in the process of joining the European Union. The four-year project is funded by the EU and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), IPN reports.
During the launch, director general of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) Eugeniu Rusu said the hosting of the launch of this EU project is of special significance for the Republic of Moldova as it reaffirms the state’s commitment to further strengthen intellectual property protection and advance the European integration agenda. “Today we are here to mark the beginning of a new partnership between partner states and the EU, with the common objective of strengthening and promoting intellectual property rights. It is a very important initiative in the current global context where innovation and creativity are the engines of economic and social progress. Through this project we aim to strengthen the legal and institutional framework in the field of intellectual property, to support institutional capacities and to increase citizens’ and businesses’ awareness of the importance and advantages of protecting the intellectual property rights,” said the AGEPI director.
Rodica Crudu, secretary of state of the Government, said that the regional dimension of this project is very important not only because the beneficiary states have assumed the common objective of becoming EU member states, but also because it will allow a constant exchange of ideas, methods and good practices. This will be extremely useful in the context of all European requirements in the field. “We will be able to build a favorable environment for the growth of the intellectual property sector in the region, in parallel with strengthening the institutional capacities of the authorities with responsibilities in the field. And thus we will contribute to creating a favorable climate for innovation and sustainable economic development,” noted Rodica Crudu.
Attending the event, the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Jānis Mažeiks said that this project is the only one of its kind in the region, and the EU Member States, together with Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, will work to strengthen intellectual property rights. They will also exchange the best practices. “The observance of the intellectual property rights is essential for a country that wants to create a propitious legal environment for intellectual property, for free competition. And the program will contribute to the registration, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This will strengthen the economic development of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia and make the region more attractive for investors,” said the ambassador.
EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão stated that as part of the project, the three countries will be helped on their path to EU accession in the field of intellectual property. “Intellectual property is not an end in itself. It is a means to generate jobs, to make our societies stronger because without intellectual property rights there is no innovation, and without innovation there is no progress and it is not possible to develop. We need our partner countries in this regard, to help them get closer to the EU legal framework, including by generating opportunities to exchange the best practices,” said João Negrão.
The project “Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine” has a total budget of €4 million, being co-financed by the European Commission (€2.8m) and EUIPO (€1.2m).
