The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI), Faton Thaçi, hosted in a meeting Mr. Joseph Giustiniani, Attaché for cooperation at the French Embassy in Kosovo, who was accompanied by Mr. Veli Hoti, the Director of Kosovo Institute for Industrial Property Rights.
The subject of discussion was the cooperation among the France with Kosovo in field of industrial (intellectual) property rights, specifically on geographic indicators.
Deputy Minister Thaçi informed Attaché Giustiniani on the achievements of the Industrial Property Agency, which operates under the MTI, on preparation of legal and institutional infrastructure in line with EU directives, advancements in database technology for trademarks, intellectual property and geographical indications.
Further, Mr. Thaci pointed out that the application procedures, publication, communication procedures, registration and others related procedures are already in place and are carried out by IPA, so no additional re-arrangements are required, since these procedures are the same or similar to the registration of other industrial property subjects, like : trademarks, patents and industrial designs.
The main focus of the discussion was the geographic indicator of Sharri region, such as “Sharri Cheese” , a product of particular importance among Kosovar products, and which have been successfully placed in the international market, namely in the Republic of France.
Further, French Attaché Giustiniani assured Deputy Minister Thaçi that during the next coming months there will be unreserved support in different areas, whether technical, financial, or through French experts, and in close coordination between MTI, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Sharr's Cheese Producers Association, where will be also organized various meetings and workshops led by French experts and other experts of relevant ministries covering these areas.
Deputy Minister Thaçi also informed the attaché that Kosovo has the opportunity to introduce other geographical indicators, such as Kosovo wines with distinguished test and with high quality and which has a high demand in the domestic and regional market. Furthermore, Mr. Thaci assured the attaché that starting from March will be intensified meetings between relevant Kosovo ministries and the French Embassy in Kosovo and the ministries and experts of France, as our ally.
