Brussels, 17/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 17 May, agreements were signed between the European Union, on one side, and the Swiss Confederation and Principality of Liechtenstein, on the other, on protection of names of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs.
Under these agreements, the parties undertake to mutually recognise names of origin and protected geographical indications for a wide range of products, including cheese, cooked meat, bakery products, fruit and vegetables, oils, confectionery and beer. Mutual recognition under these agreements may also be applied to geographical indications newly registered further to a decision by the relevant joint committee. This possibility is particularly important for the new EU member states given that the procedures for registering their protected geographical indications were not complete when negotiation on the agreements reached conclusion.
The agreements in question will amend the agreement on trade in agricultural products currently in force and sealed with Switzerland, as well as the additional agreement in this respect sealed with Liechtenstein, whereby the agreement between the EU and Switzerland was extended to Liechtenstein. (L.C./transl.jl)