Brussels, 12/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, European Commissioner Pascal Lamy said he welcomed "the creation of ORIGIN, this new organisation gathering the world producers and holders of geographical indications. It will be able to be the ideal platform to make known the quality expectations of agricultural producers, as well as the ideal forum to facilitate transfers of technology and know-how which developing country producers need so much." The Trade Commissioner explained the reasons justifying the importance of geographical indications: "They contribute to the identity of the heritage of our countries and regions. Terms "Parma", "Cognac", "Manchego" or " Scotch Whisky" form part of the culture and national and regional identity of Italy, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Similarly, "Basmati", "Antigua" and "Jasmin" are to some extent the commercial flags of India, Guatemala and Thailand. These names, and the products that they protect, symbolise the traditions, cultures and know-how of thousands of years. Travelling throughout the world, they contribute to the image and prestige of their countries of origin, and allow their producers, from wherever they be, to have greater presence on the international scene." Lamy outlined why "the European Union attaches so much importance to recognition and the full and complete protection of geographical indications within the framework of the current trade negotiations. We welcome particularly the creation of a multilateral register of geographical indications for wines and spirits, as well as the extension of protection to products other than wines and spirits." He said that indications of origin were a strategic tool for developing European agriculture and an effective tool for land management and the organisation of professionals, explaining that "experience, as in Europe, shows that geographical indications, or similar steps, encourage quality rather than quantity." "Geographical indications are a wealth multiplier. It is a collective right which belongs to communities There is a major difference with trademarks or branded goods", he went on, noting that "the geographical indication is a kind of collective "mark" of the farmers and craftsmen of a region. It guarantees that the use of a name will remain attached to a region and to the community that saw its birth", encouraging farmers to seek quality and thereby increase their competitiveness while contributing to the heritage and identity of countries and regions.