Signing ceremony IP cooperation project in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

The European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have committed to bolstering intellectual property (IP) rights in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, marking a significant step towards fostering innovation and competitiveness in these countries on their path to EU accession.

Solidified through a signed agreement between the Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations and the EUIPO on 12 December 2023, their work aims to cultivate a more conducive environment for innovation, creativity and economic growth in the three countries.

The initiative highlights the importance of upholding IP rights by focusing on four key areas:

• enhancing legal frameworks;
• supporting IP institutions and networks;
• collaborating on enforcement mechanisms; and
• raising awareness, targeting the private sector and small- to medium-sized enterprises.

Aligned with the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership, the initiative seeks to fortify recovery and long-term resilience in these partner countries by establishing robust legal frameworks for IP rights. It aims to stimulate innovation, attract investment and foster healthy competition, contributing to building resilient, competitive and integrated economies in the region.

The project will assist Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in fulfilling their commitments under the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (AA/DCFTA) with the EU, while supporting their aspirations for EU accession by facilitating regulatory alignment with EU standards.

The agreement sets forth a four-year programme with total co-financing of EUR 4 million from the Commission and the EUIPO.