Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] We were prepared for both possibilities, gov't sources say on US election result

[02] EU wishes comprehensive agreement before the end of 2016, Moscovici says

[03] US-Greek relations will not be affected by elections result, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[04] National Bank wins innovation award

[05] Greek red wine wins Critics Award in Grand Tasting of New York

[06] Struggle against drugs continuous and persistent, says police chief Tsouvalas

[01] We were prepared for both possibilities, gov't sources say on US election result

The same source said that Obama's visit is of significant importance for the second programme review and the debt issue as well as for the fact that the US foreign policy gives emphasis on Greece and so far this does not seem to change.

"Of course there will be changes in the US interior affairs and the international system, which we are closely monitoring," the same source added and concluded: "However, there is some concern over the respect of human rights and the rights of the minorities."

On his part, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias congratulated the newly elected US President Donald Trump.

"The Greek government has systemic relations with both parties, the Democratic and the Republican. We had discussions with the team of Trump last September on issues of the region on the sidelines of the UN general assembly. The Greek government and any Greek government always had good relations with the US and the American people. We continue to have good political relations. We are waiting to welcome US President Barack Obama's to Greece," he said adding that Obama is very popular in Greece.

"President Obama's meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the Greek government will be fruitful, positive and productive" Kotzias underlined.

[02] EU wishes comprehensive agreement before the end of 2016, Moscovici says

Asked on Donald Trump's election in the US and if something will change in IMF's participation in the Greek programme, he said that he does not wish to link IMF's stance with a political event.

"We are trying to get into a virtuous circle with Greece," stated Moscovici adding that the goal is "the memorandum to succeed, the reforms to be implemented correctly, growth to return and the trust to be restored" he said.

Moscovici reiterated that the Greek authorities have already assumed their responsibilities despite the fact they did not do it 'totally' or 'spontaneously' and now it is the partners' time to assume their own responsibilities.

"I insist on May 2016 statement and I hope to achieve a more comprehensive agreement before the end of 2016 which will include the IMF," he said adding that he expects the IMF to participate in the programme.

[03] US-Greek relations will not be affected by elections result, ND leader Mitsotakis says

Mitsotakis was addressing producers at Chania, Crete.

[04] National Bank wins innovation award

The i-bank pass service won the first Innovation Award for Physical Distribution. On the 10 categories of the contest a total of 460 proposals were submitted by 200 banks and financial organizations from 61 countries.National Bank became the first Greek bank to distinguish in this competition with participating organizations such as Citibank, ING, Santander, BNP, IntesaSanPaolo, etc.

The i-bank pass service is available through mobile application (mobile app) for Android and iOS operating systems, and through the bank's website, offering the possibility to everyone (customers and non NBG ), to choose the store that has the shortest waiting time, to issue electronic priority tickets and update in real time to customers and waiting time, also to timely plan their attendance under alert service and evaluate both the service experience and using the application.

Application i-bank pass was designed with the aim of facilitating customer access to shops and reduce the waiting time entailed a visit, especially on busy days.

In five months of operation of the i-bank pass service, about 85,000 users have installed the application on their devices and issued about 140.000 i-bank pass tickets.

[05] Greek red wine wins Critics Award in Grand Tasting of New York

The New York Wine Experience is organised every year by the popular wine magazine Wine Spectator. The disctinction for Grand Reserve Naoussa Boutari, which was the only Greek wine among 250 wines from 15 countries, is extremely important because it had to contest emblematic wine etiquettes such as the Chateau D'Yquem, Penfolds, Opus One, Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Vega Sicilia.

"We are very proud that our wine stood high next among the "Major Wines" of the international vineyards and excels for its character and is internationally praised something that is indicative of our consistence and focus on quality," Boutari wineries general director Ioannis Voyatzis stated to Athens Macedonian News Agency.

The red wine Grand Reserve Naoussa Boutari comes from the Greek wine variety Xinomavro which originates from the uplands of Naoussa and is mostly cultivated in Goumenissa, Amyntaio and in other parts of Macedonia.

[06] Struggle against drugs continuous and persistent, says police chief Tsouvalas

Greek police chief Constantinos Tsouvalas noted "the struggle against drugs is continuous and persistent. The Greek police works rigorously against the organised criminal drug dealing rings. We are ruthless against those who import and trade death, it is the least we owe to do for the new generations and for the Greek citizens."

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