The President of APRV held a working meeting with representatives of the Directorate General of the European Commission

October 8, 2021 president of the Association of Producers of "Russian Vodka" (APRV) Vladislav Spirin and the Head of the Geographical Indications Department of the Directorate General of the European Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), Mr. Francis Fay, held a working meeting via videoconference.

During the dialogue, the parties discussed the current status of the geographical indication "Russian Vodka" (GU "span>Russian Vodka") in the European markets, outlined possible steps aimed at activating the process of registration of this geographical indication in the European Union, and agreed on further regular contacts.

The bilateral meeting was organized on the initiative of the APRV in order to speed up the registration of the GU"Russian Vodka" on the territory of the countries of the European Union. The event was also attended by representatives of the Federal State Enterprise "Soyuzplodoimport" and DG AGRI.

Vladislav Spirin noted that the incompleteness of the registration process of GU"Russian Vodka" deprives Russian alcohol market participants of the opportunity to effectively promote and advertise products labeled with the GU"Russian Vodka" in the EU countries. He also drew the attention of his European colleagues that the registration of the State Enterprise "Russian Vodka" in the EU countries is primarily in the interests of the European consumer, since it protects him from pseudo-Russian, low-quality and counterfeit vodka currently represented in the commercial circulation of European countries.

On behalf of the members of the Association, the President of APRV expressed concern about the delay in the registration of GU"Russian Vodka" in the European Union and reminded the meeting participants that the application for registration was published quite a long time ago, and all controversial issues have already been settled with the Directorate and interested companies and organizations of the European Union.

Francis Fay, for his part, confirmed that the APRV application for registration GU"Russian Vodka" is currently in force in the European Union, and its status has not been changed, separately touching upon the features of registration of the GU"Russian Vodka" in the UK, and also voiced the need for registration in Russia of geographical indications belonging to European manufacturers.

In addition, representatives of DG AGRI indicated that there were questions regarding the classification of wine products supplied from Europe to Russia, in connection with with the adoption in Russia of the Federal Law of July 2 , 2021 No. 345-FZ "On Amendments to the Federal Law "On State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcoholic and Alcohol-Containing Products and on Restriction of Consumption (Drinking) of Alcoholic Products" and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation".

In conclusion, Francis Faye expressed condolences over the untimely death of Dmitry Andronenko, who headed the APRV from 2015 to 2020 inclusive, noted the need for further regular contacts regarding the registration of the GU"Russian Vodka" in the European Union and stressed the expediency of holding personal meetings on this issue.