Services of the European Commission are engaged in negotiations on how to clearly distinguish Italian Prosecco wine, which has DOCG status, from Croatia's Prosek wine, European Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Croatian Neven Mimica told the Italian news agency ANSA on Friday.
This June, Italian members of the European Parliament asked the Commission to express its position on the usage of the label "Prosek" for a Croatian dessert wine, as the label phonetically resembles the name of the Italian sparkling wine Prosecco, with controlled designation of origin guaranteed.
Although they are two different types of wine, their similar names could confuse consumers, which is why the Italian MEPs asked what steps would be taken upon Croatia's entrance into the EU on 1 July.
The dispute was solved for the time being with the Commission's decision that all quantities of Prosek wine produced before 30 June 2013 could be sold until stocks depleted.
"The EC services are engaged on the negotiations on making a clear distinction between Italian Prosecco and Croatian Prosek," Mimica told ANSA, adding that regulations to that effect are very clear.
"Being a consumer I know that these two wines are very different products and I like both," Mimica said.
As for his work in the coming period, Mimica prioritised the fight against counterfeit goods being sold online and raising transparency in price tariffs for energy as well as transparency in costs for keeping bank accounts.
