Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis, FM Molyviatis receive Justice for Cyprus Award

[02] 'Euro-fighters' at air show this weekend

[03] EU-US wine trade accord will protect 'retsina' name on US market

[01] PM Karamanlis, FM Molyviatis receive Justice for Cyprus Award

Speaking during the ceremony, Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos described his relations with Karamanlis as "wonderful", and "based on trust and absolute frankness", adding that there has never been any disagreement vis-a-vis support of Cyprus' cause and vindication of the just rights of the Republic of Cyprus, and particularly those of the Greek Cypriots.

Referring to Molyviatis, the Cyprus president called him the "wise Nestor" of Greece, and warmly thanked him for his long-standing cooperation and invaluable advice.

Molyviatis thanked the organisers for the honour bestowed on him and said that all his efforts throughout the years had been "nothing more than my duty", adding that there was still much to be done.

Karamanlis thanked the Cyprus president for his heartfelt words, and reaffirmed that the Greek government was unwaveringly committed to a just, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and completely in line with the European principles.

"We will spare no effort to achieve the reunification of the island, in a way that will benefit all the Cypriots," the Greek premier pledged.

Regarding future initiatives for resolving the Cyprus problem, Karamanlis stressed that any prospective initiative needed to guarantee the best possible prospects for success, and expressed hope that the appropriate conditions would be created so as to enable a resumption of negotiations.

"We are approaching the issue with responsibility and determination to move forward, and hope that the other side will display a similar attitude. We are approaching this issue in close cooperation with the Cypriot government," Karamanlis said, and also congratulated the Federation leadership and members for their "exemplary devotion to the goals of peace, justice and freedom in Cyprus" and their "commitment to the loftiest interests of wider Hellenism" and "better understanding and closer relations between the Greeks and the Americans".

US Senator Paul Sarbanes lauded the organisers on their lifelong dedication to the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus and, drawing a parallel between the refugees in Cyprus and the refugees from Hurricane Katrina, stressed "how unbearable it is for one to be a refugee in their own homeland".

The ceremony was also attended by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, Cyprus foreign minister George Iacovou, Archbishop Demetrios of America, and many leading members of the Greek and Cypriot community and organisations in the US.

The Cyprus Federation of America is the umbrella organization that represents the Cypriot-American community throughout the United States.

Past recipients of ?The Justice for Cyprus Award? include Senators Olympia Snowe, Alfonse D�Amato, Paul Tsongas, Joseph Biden, Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Robert Menendez and several other Members of the House of Representatives.

[02] 'Euro-fighters' at air show this weekend

All three aircraft will be on static display, while at least one of the two "Typhoons" will take-off for an exhibition flight on Sunday, Greek air force organisers said.

The first international airshow to be organised in Greece, called Archangelos 2005, will be held at the airport of the 114th Battle Wing at Tanagra, in Viotia prefecture, from September 16 to 18.

Throughout the three days of the airshow, a wide variety of aircraft will be on display on the ground and will perform air-borne manoeuvres, including simulations by Greek pilots of operational flights encompassing different threat scenaria, in a display of the Greek Air Forces' preparedness and abilities. The foreign crews will perform acrobatic manoeuvres, individually and in formations.

Aircraft and helicopters from the Air Forces of 20 friendly countries and 12 aerospace companies will also be taking part in the Airshow, in reciprocity of similar participations by Greek Air Force aircraft in similar events abroad.

A squadron of Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows will also be participating in the international airshow.

[03] EU-US wine trade accord will protect 'retsina' name on US market

According to the Commission announcement, the EU and the US have reached a "first phase agreement" on trade in wine which will "protect EU wine names and secure the EU�s biggest and most valuable wine market".

Under the accord, the US administration will "make a proposal to Congress to change the status of EU wine names" such as Burgundy, Champagne, Chablis, Chianti, Madeira, Malaga, Port, Retsina, Sherry and Tokay "currently considered semi-generic terms in the US, and limit their use in the US".

"The US will also exempt the EU from its new certification requirements, accept the main principles of EU labelling rules and pledge to seek to resolve any bilateral issues concerning trade in wine through informal bilateral consultations rather than through dispute settlement mechanisms. The two sides have also undertaken to build on the agreement by starting to negotiate a more ambitious second-phase accord 90 days after the entry into force of this agreement," the announcement said.

Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, welcomed the agreement: "I am delighted we have managed to finalise this very important agreement, after 20 years of on-off negotiations. The US is our biggest market, importing EU wine worth about � 2 billion in 2004. This deal will remove the legal uncertainty which has hung over this trade for several years and benefit producers on both sides of the Atlantic. The conclusion of this first-phase agreement will pave the way for future close cooperation with the US in the wine sector.?

The main elements of the agreement are:

- The US and EU explicitly recognise each others� wine names as ?names of origin?.

- The US administration will propose to Congress to change the status and to limit of use of 17 European wine names which are currently considered as semi-generics in the US: Burgundy, Chablis, Champagne, Chianti, Claret, Haut-Sauterne, Hock, Madeira, Malaga, Marsala, Moselle, Port, Retsina, Rhine, Sauterne, Sherry and Tokay.

- The US accepts the main principles of EU labelling rules and agrees to seek to resolve any bilateral issues concerning trade in wine through informal bilateral consultations rather than through dispute settlement mechanisms.

- The US is allowed to use under certain conditions and for a limited period of time, 14 EU traditional expressions: Ch?teau, classic, clos, cream, crusted,/crusting, fine, late bottled vintage, noble, ruby, superior, sur lie, tawny, vintage and vintage character.

- The EU recognises the US wine-making practices which are currently approved in the US. However, those practices which are not covered by existing EU derogations will only be accepted for wines exported to the EU once the US changes the status of the 17 EU wine names which are considered as semi generics in the US.

- EU wine exports, including exports of wines below 7% of alcohol, are exempted from the US certification requirements adopted in late 2004. Once the US has changed the status of the 17 EU wine names currently considered as semi-generics in the US, it will benefit from very simplified certification requirements in the EU.

- A second phase negotiation will start 90 days after the date of entry into force of the agreement and will, among other things, include a dialogue on geographical indications, a dialogue on the matter of names of origin including the future of the semi-generic terms, a dialogue on the use of traditional expressions, low alcohol wines, certification, wine-making practices and the creation of a joint committee on wine issues.

- Both Parties also agree to exchange views on wine matters affecting international trade and on how international cooperation covering wine matters might be best structured.

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