US embassy cable - 04ZAGREB2004

UNCLAS ZAGREB 002004 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, KIPR, EU, HR, Intellectual Property, Trade 
SUBJECT: EU INTEGRATION MINISTER HELPS AVERT 
DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT OF U.S. DRUG FIRMS 
 
(SBU) On November 8, the Ambassador met with Minister of 
European Integration, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, to discuss 
implementation of the Intellectual Property MOU.  Kitarovic 
explained that an amendment to the Drug Law was being 
considered which would provide the U.S. and the EU different 
periods of data exclusivity.  The Ambassador strongly 
objected, saying that discriminatory treatment was 
unacceptable, and a very bad signal to foreign investors. 
Kitarovic admitted this treatment was problematic under 
Croatian law as well, and pledged to do her best to rectify 
the situation.  Kitarovic later informed the Ambassador that 
she had succeeded in ensuring that a non-discriminatory 
version of the amendment would be considered.  While the 
final language of the provision is still being discussed, the 
GoC now understands that we will not tolerate differential 
treatment. 
 
YY 
PRIORITY BUCHAREST 
PRIORITY BUDAPEST 
PRIORITY LJUBLJANA 
PRIORITY SOFIA 
PRIORITY WARSAW 
PRIORITY DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC 
PRIORITY USMISSION GENEVA 
 
Y 
UNCLASSIFIED 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
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