Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 91999E2492

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492/99 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Production of counterfeit goods in CEECs.** 
  
*Official Journal 280 E , 03/10/2000 P. 0054 - 0055*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492/99

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Production of counterfeit goods in CEECs

According to reports by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Central and Eastern Europe have become a thriving market for counterfeit goods, as Asia has been for some time, and such goods are reaching the EU's internal market via those regions. Counterfeit goods production is also a major obstacle to increases in EU investment in Eastern Europe, as businesses see that they will not enjoy the requisite legal protection in the countries concerned.

How will the Commission step up its efforts to combat the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit goods in Eastern Europe? What will the Commission do to improve cooperation with the authorities of Eastern European countries in this regard?Is there any way in which the Commission can include measures against counterfeit goods in the pre-accession partnership programmes?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2000)

The Commission refers to its reply given to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-3958/98(1) which indicated that the Commission is closely monitoring the evolution of intellectual property protection in Central and Eastern Europe.

In this context, the Commission considers that in the large majority of the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) substantive progress in the harmonisation of the legislation with the acquis has been achieved. However, certain shortcomings in the establishment of an adequate legal framework still exist. In addition, the administrative capacity relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights still needs significant improvement and better administrative co-operation between the authorities is also needed.

Most of the CEEC countries are heading in the right direction and, on the whole, levels of piracy are decreasing, even though they remain high.

Bulgaria can be mentioned as a country which has achieved significant results in the fight against piracy during 1999.

The Commission will continue to give high priority to the fight against piracy in the framework of the enlargement negotiations.

(1) OJ C 207, 21.7.1999, p. 151.

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