Bulgaria's plan to launch a special "NATO" range of beer and wine ahead of the country's accession to the alliance was not welcomed in Brussels, the Sofia daily Sega reported on March 25. The paper quoted NATO legal department officials as saying that the precedent could cause problems, particularly if it turns out that the logo of the alliance would be used to promote sales. "No product may be advertised under the name of NATO," an unnamed official said.

NATO pays strict attention to the use of its name and logo, the report said: it appears freely on pens, but is not allowed on lighters, as most member countries are involved in anti-smoking campaigns. The idea of a special, "NATO" series of wine and beer, was launched by the Bulgarian foreign ministry ahead of the Balkan country's membership of NATO.

26 March, 2004