4 February 2005: 4th Co-operation Committee Meeting, Herzeg Novi

The 4th Co-operation Committee Meeting on Intellectual Property Rights in Europe took place in Herceg Novi today under the EC-funded CARDS Regional Programme on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) implemented by the European Patent Office.

Opening the meeting, Amir Nurkovic, Minister of Internal Economic Relations, welcomed representatives from the European Commission (EC, Brussels), the European Patent Office (EPO, Munich), the Office for Harmonization of the Internal Market (OHIM, Alicante), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, Geneva), and the General Directors of the five IP Offices in the region. The event was the most important IPR meeting since EPO President Ingo Kober visited Belgrade in February 2004.

The Co-operation Committee meeting was held in Herceg Novi in a clear message from the EC to promote regional co-operation and further involve Montenegrin partners from Serbia and Montenegro in CARDS activities in the region.

With regard to his previous involvement in similar activities in connection with the CARDS Regional IPR Programme, Minister Nurkovic reaffirmed his support for IPR protection in Serbia and Montenegro, and its importance in protecting local interests on the international market, developing tourism and offering an attractive environment for foreign investment.

The Minister and the Committee representatives developed their joint understanding of the situation, and agreed on the importance of IPR as a support for economic growth.

After a review of its recent activities, the CARDS Co-operation Committee presented its work plan for the first half of 2005 and its proposals for activities in the second half.