On June 3, 2014, representatives of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) participated in the Workshop “Regional and Local Foodstuffs - A Stimulus for Community Development”, organized by the Ecological Movement in Moldova. The event was also attended by representatives of central and local public authorities and NGOs.

The event is part of the list of activities included in the Project “Regional and Local Foodstuffs - A Stimulus for Community Development: V4 for Eastern Partnership”, having the aim of creating capacities and stimulating local intersectorial partnerships from the rural environment in order to register the regional and local products and to promote the culinary heritage and traditional foodstuff networks.

The project is funded by the Visegrad Fund and has 10 partners from 6 countries: Poland - Local Action Group (LAG) Vistula-Terra Culmensis; Czech Republic - Kyjovske Slovacko in Motion; Slovakia - Civic Association Podhoran; Hungary - Nagyváthy Association; Georgia - Kakheti Regional Development Foundation; Akhmeta Municipality Sakrebulo; Moldova - Ecological Movement in Moldova; Calarasi Mayoralty; Armenia - Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment; Belarus – Obshchestvennoe obiedinenie Ekodom.

Participants in the Workshop got acquainted with a wide range of information and strategies to promote products, especially from the experience of Poland and the Czech Republic, thanks to which can be made more efficient the use of the benefits and opportunities offered by the GI, AO and STG system in manufacturing and marketing domestic quality products.

Representatives of the State Agency on Intellectual Property, Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu, Deputy Director General of AGEPI and Simon Levitchi, Director of the Trademarks, Industrial Designs Department, informed the participants about the national system of protection of geographical indications, appellations of origin and traditional specialties guaranteed, benefits of protection for domestic producers and the needs for registration of local and regional products from Moldova (see the Report).

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Visegrad Group consists of four member states (V4 - Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary) and was founded in 1991. During the period July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014 the Group’s rotating presidency is held by Hungary and since July 1 will be taken over by Slovakia.