GREECE CONSIDERS PARTICIPATION IN CSI THROUGH EUROPEAN COMMISSION

GREECE CONSIDERS PARTICIPATION IN CSI THROUGH EUROPEAN COMMISSION    The Greek government will consider participating in the U.S. Customs Service's Container Security Initiative, following informal discussions help between U.S. officials and the port of Piraeus.
   Sotiris Theofanis, president and chief executive of the Piraeus Port Authority, said U.S. Department of Transportation officials have conducted a fact-finding mission in Greece and discussed security issues with the port authority.
   The Greek government will probably enter into an agreement on container security with the U.S. through the European Commission, Theofanis told American Shipper.
   While several major European ports have already signed bilateral agreements with U.S. Customs under the Container Security Initiative, some have been reluctant to follow.
   Theofanis said the European Commission wants a harmonized approach between the member countries of the European Union.