The Republic of Moldova has marked a historic milestone for its national intellectual property system and its European integration path by officially becoming the 40th member state of the European Patent Organisation (EPO), TRIBUNA reports.

To mark the occasion, a delegation from the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), led by AGEPI Director Iulian E. Iorga, travelled to Munich to participate in the official ceremony organized by the European Patent Office (EPO) to celebrate Moldova’s accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC).

The central moment of the ceremony was the raising of the Flag of the Republic of Moldova at the EPO headquarters in Munich, alongside the flags of the other 39 member states of the European Patent Organisation. The event symbolizes Moldova’s full integration into the European system for the protection of inventions and its participation, as a full member, in the decision‑making process concerning the development of the European patent system.

The ceremony was attended by António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office; Josef Kratochvíl, Chair of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation; Sergiu Russu, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Germany; as well as EPO and AGEPI representatives involved in Moldova’s accession process.

In their remarks, European officials welcomed Moldova’s accession, highlighting its importance for strengthening European cooperation in the field of patents, fostering innovation, and supporting economic development.

EPO President António Campinos emphasized that Moldova’s accession is the result of long‑standing and fruitful cooperation between the EPO and AGEPI. He noted that this step will facilitate Moldovan innovators’ access to a high‑quality patent protection system and further integrate Moldova’s innovation ecosystem into the European space.

Josef Kratochvíl, Chair of the Administrative Council, underlined that the expansion of the Organisation to 40 member states demonstrates the attractiveness and robustness of the European patent system and reflects a shared commitment to promoting innovation, competitiveness, and economic development across Europe.

AGEPI Director Iulian E. Iorga expressed Moldova’s appreciation for the continuous support provided by the EPO and member states throughout the accession process, noting that this moment crowns years of joint effort.

“This moment is the result of years of close partnership between AGEPI and the European Patent Office — from technical cooperation and the Validation Agreement to full accession to the European patent family. We did not reach this point alone. Accession to the European Patent Convention opens access for Moldovan innovators, researchers, and businesses to a market of over 700 million consumers. This is not just a number — it is an opportunity Moldova is ready to seize. We are proud to join this community and determined to contribute actively to its success,” stated the AGEPI Director.

Moldova’s accession follows the deposit of the instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention on 25 March 2026. As of 1 June 2026, all European patent applications automatically include the designation of the Republic of Moldova, facilitating access to patent protection in the country and increasing its attractiveness for investment and innovative activity.

Cooperation between Moldova and the EPO dates back to the mid‑1990s and was significantly strengthened by the entry into force of the European patent validation agreement on 1 November 2015. This mechanism helped align Moldova’s national intellectual property system with European standards and paved the way for full accession to the EPC.

To mark Moldova’s accession, the Moldovan flag was raised not only at the EPO headquarters in Munich but also at its offices in The Hague, Berlin, and Vienna.

Through this accession, the Republic of Moldova reaffirms its commitment to promoting innovation, technology transfer, and the development of a knowledge‑based economy, while strengthening its integration into the European research, innovation, and competitiveness landscape.