Ukraine – EU Association Agreement

Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part (Association Agreement) defines a new format of relations between Ukraine and the EU on the basis of “political association and economic integration” and serves as a strategic guideline for systematic socio-economic reforms in Ukraine.

On 1st September 2017 Association Agreement entries fully into force after a long period of ratification.

Articles 201-211 define the legal framework for Geographical Indications.

Ukraine’s obligations under the Association Agreement are to approximate national legislation to EU acquis and to ensure the legal protection of EU GIs, which are contained in the Annexes to the Association Agreement.

A Subcommittee on Geographical Indications has been set up to monitor the development of the Association Agreement and to strengthen cooperation and dialogue between Ukraine and the EU on geographical indications. It has the right to modify Annexes XXII-C and XXII-D with regard to geographical indications. This means that after the registration of new geographical indications in Ukraine, they will be able to receive legal protection in the EU under Association Agreement. Similarly, new European geographical indications will receive legal protection in Ukraine.