Greek products ‘protected’ after major EU–China agreement

The European Union and China signed a protected Geographical Indications (PGI) agreement on Wednesday which had major benefits for the continents products, including a range of Greek products.

Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised the agreement as a major breakthrough for Greek products, noting that the “PGI agreement between EU and China is a big success for Greece and its producers, as it signifies that, as of this moment, six Greek products - feta cheese, ouzo, Kalamata olives, Chios mastic, Samos wines and Lasithi olive oil - are all protected, and it is possible to add more products later in time,” said Mitsotakis.

This agreement ensures that some 100 EU products are protected from imitations, holding exclusive rights to their names and the fact that they come from specific regions.

"Greece can now be present, even more dynamically, within the outlook presented by the large Chinese market," Mitsotakis noted.

According to an EU statement, the agreement is expected to enter into force before the end of 2020.

"EU-China cooperation on Geographical Indications began over 10 years ago (2006), resulting in the registration and protection of 10 Geographical Indication names on both sides in 2012, the starting block for today's cooperation," it said.