Chairman of Board of İntellectual property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan received consultant of French Embassy in Turkey on agricultural issues Mr. François Viel.

Welcoming the French guest, K. Imanov informed about the successful implementation of socio-economic reforms carried out in our country under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, including the institutional reforms aimed at the development of the intellectual property field, and emphasized that Azerbaijan was among 10 most reforming countries in the World Bank's “Doing Business – 2019” report. Mr. Imanov noted that, Agency is the legal entity of public law providing development of intellectual property rights, implementing single regulation and control and coordinating activity in this field, also participating in the formation of a single state policy in the field of intellectual property rights.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Mr F. Wiel noted that he held his first meeting in Azerbaijan at the Intellectual Property Agency. He informed that he has been working in the agricultural sector for more than 35 years, working in Paris and in several countries, including in Russia during 2007-2012, as well as participating in several projects on geographical indications. He informed about French legislation in the field of geographical indications protection and about the profits gained by entrepreneurs thanking to such protection.

Referring to the legislation of our country in the field of intellectual property, K. Imanov noted that geographical indications were not protected in Soviet period and after independence, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Trademarks and Geographical Indications" was adopted in 1997, 35 geographical indications are currently protected in our country and 13 applications are under examination. Administrative and criminal liability are provided for those who violate the demand for protection of geographical indications.

He emphasized that, unlike the French legislation, protection of geographical concentration in Azerbaijan covers not only agricultural but also non-agricultural products. He pointed out that mineral waters of Nakhchivan, our culinary samples attempted to be dissolved by the armenians, including geographical indications such as “dolma” and “kalaghayi” listed in UNESCO intangible heritage list, “Zira tomato” and “Zira olive” in Absheron peninsula, “Isti su” in our territories occupied by Armenia must be protected. Mr. K. Imanov reminded that in September 2018 an event was held at the Headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva to promote Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage patterns.

At the meeting, the sides exchanged views around the perspectives of further co-operation in the field of harmonization of legislation in the field of protection of geographical indications and exchange of experience.