EU/Georgia Agreement: protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

PURPOSE: conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

It is now appropriate to approve the Agreement on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 207(4) first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this draft Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The Agreement will enable the reciprocal protection of the geographical indications of the respective Parties and will contribute to the approximation of legislation among the EU neighbouring countries.

For further details on the main points of the Agreement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 20/04/2011.

The Agreement also lays down:

• the internal procedure for establishing representation of the Union on matters relating to the Agreement should also be defined;
• certain tasks for implementation have been attributed to the Joint Committee established by the Agreement, including the power to amend certain technical aspects of the Agreement as well as certain Annexes thereto.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no budgetary implication for the Union budget.