US Deputy Secretary James Loy of the Department of Homeland Security and Vassilios Manolopoulos, Director General of the Greek Directorate General of Customs and Excise announced on Friday in Brussels that Greece has joined the Container Security Initiative (CSI), which seeks to protect trade among members. The two signed a declaration of principles in Brussels during the World Customs Organization meetings.

"I am deeply grateful for the support of the Greek government for the implementation of CSI in Piraeus. Because CSI will detect and deter attempts by terrorists to exploit cargo containers, CSI is an insurance policy against terrorism. It protects and secures trade between our two nations as well as the global trading system," Loy said.

As part of the CSI program, US and Greek customs officials will identify and screen cargo containers that are destined for the United States. In addition, the US will lend Greece equipment to screen goods delivered to Olympic venues during the 2004 Athens Games.

Source: Athens News Agency

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