​​Reinforcing co-operation with our partners in Southeast Europe

​EPO President António Campinos with Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Industry Peter Dilov (left) and with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro Nik Gjeloshaj (right)

Photos courtesy of Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro and Ministry of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria 
 

​On 2 April, in his first official visit to Montenegro since the country joined the European Patent Organisation on 1 October 2022, the EPO President met with Nik Gjeloshaj, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro, and Jasna Vujović, General Director in the Ministry’s Directorate for Internal Market and Competition.

​The EPO President praised Montenegro for its smooth integration into the European Patent Organisation and its progress toward EU accession, particularly its success in closing the IP chapter during negotiations. He also commended the country for taking significant steps towards ratifying the London Agreement and finalising the Working Agreement on Search Co-operation with the EPO.

​A highlight of the visit was the signing of a Bilateral Co-operation Agreement for the coming years up until 2028, aimed at strengthening Montenegro’s patent system. Key areas of co-operation include support in the development of digital tools and infrastructure, sharing expertise in patent search procedures, and information security.

The visit underscored the EPO’s commitment to supporting innovation and business growth in Montenegro, with an emphasis on reducing administrative hurdles, enhancing legal frameworks, and improving access to finance for companies with intellectual property. The EPO President and Deputy Prime Minister also discussed the establishment of a first patent information centre (PATLIB) in the country, which will serve as a model. They highlighted the importance of locating the centre close to Montenegro’s innovators, knowledge creators and innovation funds.

​Meetings with Bulgarian Economy Minister and BPO President

​On 3 April the EPO President was in Sofia, where he met with the Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Industry, Peter Dilov, to discuss the role of the patent system in fostering innovation and competitiveness in Bulgaria, and how the EPO’s co-operation with the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) could support this goal.

​The talks covered bilateral co-operation initiatives including support to Bulgarian SMEs and start-ups, in particular how simplification of procedures and removing administrative barriers could assist them in scaling up in Europe. They also discussed the role of patents in financing innovation to maintain competitiveness and promote the use of IP rights as economic and financial assets. The EPO President also underlined the role of the Unitary Patent system in enhancing competitiveness and innovation in Europe, and its benefits for small entities in Bulgaria. 

The meeting also addressed topics related to digital transformation and the adoption of AI-driven technologies for enhancing user services as well as how to strengthen the Bulgarian national PATLIB centres network for delivering IP services for research universities, individual inventors and micro entities.

​On 4 April the EPO President met with BPO President Olya Dimitrova to discuss priorities and project activities under the EPO’s bilateral co-operation agreement with Bulgaria. The main topics discussed were national and European initiatives aimed at enhancing BPO’s capacity, helping SMEs access the patent system, co-operation on AI-powered digital tools and services, the positive effects of the EPO’s professional mobility schemes and broadening collaboration with Bulgaria’s technical universities.