Director General Wraps up Constructive Visitto Slovakia

Geneva, March 12, 1999
Press Updates UPD/1999/51

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
Dr. Kamil Idris, wrapped up a two-day official visit to the Republic of Slovakia with a pledge to continue to support the government in strengthening and enhancing its intellectual property infrastructure.

The Director General described his talks with top ranking Slovak officials as "constructive, useful, and effective." He rated the trip as a "success" noting that WIPO will continue to provide the necessary technical and legal assistance to Slovakia in the field of intellectual property.

During his visit on March 9 and 10, 1999, Dr. Idris met with Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Eduard Kukan, Deputy Prime Minister for Legislation, Mr. Lubomír Fogas, Deputy Chairman of the National Council, Mr. B. Bugár, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Mr. P. Brno, the Chairman of the Slovak Office for Industrial Property, Mr. Martin Hudoba, the Mayor of Banska Bystricá, Mr. J. Králik, and the Chancellor of the University of Matej Bel, Mr. O. Tomecek. Mr. Tomecek presented the Director General with a Medal of Honor reserved for special guests.

During his talks, the Director General pointed out the changing nature of the world economy and how intellectual property will be a key component of the knowledge-based economies of the new millennium. He urged the Government of Slovakia to speed up the process of ratifying two key treaties - the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), which Slovakia has already signed. Dr. Idris received positive indications from the Deputy Prime Minister for Legislation, Mr. Lubomír Fogas, that Slovakia would consider ratification of these two treaties that provide new standards of protection for the digital environment. They also exchanged views regarding technical and legal assistance from WIPO with respect to implementation of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) by Slovakia.

Dr. Idris also responded favorably to requests for technical and legal assistance by WIPO to Slovak officials. This was raised at talks with the Foreign Minister, Deputy Chairman of the National Council, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy.

The Director General also addressed a gathering of business-people, industry representatives, lawyers and non-governmental persons. Dr. Idris spoke about current trends in intellectual property and future challenges. He said WIPO will continue to take a leading role in the progressive development of international intellectual property law. Dr. Idris said this will be of utmost importance in light of the changing nature of economies that are becoming knowledge-based. He said the main component of the economy in the digital age of the next century will be intellectual property.

Slovakia is party to 17 conventions administered by WIPO.

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