Bulgaria

Community programmes in audio-visual sector now also open to participation by Bulgaria. New Partnership Agreement with Uzbekistan covers copyright protection. Framework Cooperation Agreement with Chili covers copyright protection, the information society, and the audio-visual and press sectors

IRIS 1996-10:1/10

Ad van Loon

European Audiovisual Observatory

Following the entry into force on 1 August 1996 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part and Bulgaria, of the other part ( see IRIS 1996-2: 5), Bulgaria may now participate in Community programmes and projects in the fields of, inter alia , information services and the audio-visual sector (which includes the MEDIA II programme; see also : IRIS 1996-7: 6).

On 21 June 1996, the European Communiities and their Member States signed a Partnership Agreement with the former Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan. This agreement replaces the one signed in 1989 with the former USSR which governs the relationship between the Community and the former soviet republics with which now new agreements have been negotiated so far. The Partnership Agreement with Uzbekistan has been concluded for a period of 10 years and stipulates, inter alia , that within five years after the entry into force of the Agreement, Uzbekistan will have reached a level of protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights similar to the current level within the European Community.

Also on 21 June 1996, a Framework Cooperation Agreement was signed between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Republic of Chili.

This Agreement covers, inter alia , co-operation in the field of intellectual property to promote trade in goods and services, investments, technology transfer, dissemination of information, cultural and creative activities, and related economioc activities. In addition, the parties agreed on collaboration in regard to the establishment of an information society. Furthermore, they want to strengthen their co-operation in the press and audio-visual sectors.