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WIPO Director General Holds High Level Meetings in Republic of Latvia

Geneva, April 8, 2005
Press Updates PR/2005/247

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Aigars Kalvitis agreed, in a meeting in Riga on April 7, 2005, to strengthen cooperation in the field of intellectual property. In his two-day visit to the Republic of Latvia (April 6 and 7, 2005), the Director General also met with the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Culture, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and visited the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia and the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Idris applauded the achievements of the Latvian Government in strengthening the intellectual property system in that country. He said that a solid intellectual property infrastructure would boost levels of investment and thereby promote national economic, social and cultural development. This would also help the country to reap the vast economic potential of its extensive cultural wealth and advance its development objectives. Dr. Idris pledged WIPO's continued support in promoting greater use of intellectual property in the Republic of Latvia to foster development. In welcoming the Republic of Latvia's participation in WIPO's activities, the Director General urged the Prime Minister to encourage greater involvement in international intellectual property debates. The Prime Minister and the Director General also signed a memorandum of understanding laying out the framework for future cooperation.

In a separate meeting with the Minister for Justice, Ms. Solvita Abolita, the Director General emphasized the importance of enforcement of intellectual property rights in the country. Cooperation between the Republic of Latvia and WIPO in the organization of seminars, workshops or symposia for judiciary, customs, police, public prosecutors, as well as for representatives of both public and private sector, was discussed and WIPO's support was requested. Views were exchanged concerning mutual cooperation in order to enhance enforcement mechanisms and tools in the country following the adoption of relevant legislation and the increased efficiency of all those involved in intellectual property enforcement activities.

Ms. Helena Demakova, Minister for Culture of the Republic of Latvia, welcomed the support recently provided by WIPO in elaborating an in-depth Survey on the Economic Contribution of Copyright-Based Industries in the Republic of Latvia. They agreed that the experience gained in preparing the survey would be instrumental in replicating this research in other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Director General underlined that the Latvian copyright industries contributed in the recent years approximately 4 % to the GDP of the country and accounted for 4.4 % of employment.

In a meeting with Mr. Zigrids Aumeisters, Director of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia, Dr. Idris praised the achievements of the Office in recent years. The Director General also commended Mr. Aumeisters for his leadership and commitment to the cause of intellectual property in Latvia. Particular appreciation was expressed for the organization of the International Conference on "Intellectual Property in the New European Union Member States" held in Riga on April 6 and 7, 2005, with high-level attendance and broad representation of key officials and representatives in the field of intellectual property rights in Europe and in the Baltic region. The meeting reviewed the Office's collaboration with WIPO, and defined new avenues for further cooperation responding to the current needs in the Republic of Latvia.

In talks with Mr. Normans Penke, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director General pledged WIPO's continued support to the Republic of Latvia in strengthening its intellectual property infrastructure and in exploiting intellectual property to attract foreign investment and promote wealth creation and economic development in the country.

Dr. Idris visited the Latvian Academy of Sciences where he was awarded the Dr. honoris causa in recognition of his significant contribution in promoting intellectual property and for his efforts in development of cooperation between WIPO and the Republic of Latvia by the President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Professor Juris Ekmanis.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

  • Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47;
  • E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int
  • Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10.
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