Moldova

More agreements with non-member countries on intellectual property

IRIS 1996-4:1/6

Frédéric Pinard

European Audiovisual Observatory

The European Union has reached a first agreement in Asia with the Republic of Korea. Inter alia, it stipulates that both parties must firstly aim at improving access to their own markets (including telecommunications) by applying the most favoured nation clause and secondly ensure effective and adequate protection for systems of intellectual, industrial and commercial protection by setting up effective legal measures to achieve this. Both parties also agree to support the TRIP'S multilateral agreement which assures, through the WTO (World Trade Organisation), a framework for international relations concerning intellectual property.

Negotiations have also begun with the countries of the Persian Gulf. Apart from discussions on political dialogue and decentralised co-operation between these two geographical areas, a parallel meeting was held with the six ministers of communication concerned, with a view to establishing wider co-operation in the media field (joint productions, co-operation among press companies, etc).

In addition, using the assent procedure, the European Parliament has adopted the texts presented by the Council concerning relations and agreements between the EU and the Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan. It stresses the importance in these agreements of the approximation of legislation on the protection of intellectual property. Lastly, by Council Decision of 20 November 1995, the European Community and its Member States and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and its Party States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) have agreed on the provisional application of certain provisions in the interregional framework co-operation agreement between the two parties. Inter alia, this agreement provides for co-operation in the field of telecommunications and information technology (Article 16) and co-operation regarding information, communication and culture (Article 21). The same holds for the decision of the Council and the Commission of 22 December 1995 on conclusion of an interim agreement between the State of Israel and the European Community. This agreement is intended as a transitional stage pending the entry into force of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and the State of Israel signed in Brussels on 20 November 1995. Chapter 2 (of Title III) contains provisions concerning intellectual property, stating that the parties shall grant and ensure adequate and effective protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in accordance with the highest international standards.


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This article has been published in IRIS Legal Observations of the European Audiovisual Observatory.