Brussels, 20/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner Poul Nielson returned to Europe on Thursday after detailed discussions over two days with South African authorities with a view to overcoming the last remaining difficulties that could compromise the provisional application of the EU/South Africa cooperation agreement. Mr Nielson will submit to his colleagues at the Commission first of all (this Friday) and then to the Council (early next week) the latest South African proposals concerning "traditional denominations" of certain alcoholic beverages, mainly grappa and ouzo.
According to information available, the difference of principle between the two parties has not been smoothed out. Thus,
a) South Africa recognises its obligation to no longer use (after transitional period) geographical denominations indicating the European places of origin (as was the case with Porto and Xérès wines) but considers that the same ban is not valid for "traditional denominations".
b) The EU considers that the same rules apply to geographical denominations and to traditional denominations, and that South Africa must undertake to no longer use names such as "grappa" (Italian) or "ouzo" (Greek).
It being impossible to overcome divergence of principle, the two parties sought practical compromises. Indications from South Africa show that this country could undertake to use names such as "South African grappa" or "South African ouzo". It remains to be seen whether this solution is considered as acceptable by Italy, Greece and the other States which attribute great importance to this matter fearing that it could create a precedent for the protection of other typical European names, during bilateral or multilateral negotiations.