Cablegate: Eu Integration Minister Helps Avert

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ZAGREB 002004

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR EU HR
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.

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PRIORITY BUCHAREST
PRIORITY BUDAPEST
PRIORITY LJUBLJANA
PRIORITY SOFIA
PRIORITY WARSAW
PRIORITY DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
PRIORITY USMISSION GENEVA

Y
UNCLASSIFIED

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