Greece, China close to cooperation agreement on Olympic security: minister

Greek Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis announced in Parliament on Wednesday the signing of a cooperation contract between the Security Studies Centre (KEMEA) and the Chinese Olympic Games Organizing Committee.

Speaking on the draft law for the setting up of the KEMEA, Voulgarakis said that the first contract for the transfer of technical know-how for the security of major athletic events, which Greece acquired at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, will be signed in Beijing on September 25 during his scheduled visit to China.

He underlined that this contract "involves a very significant economic benefit for the Centre."

He added KEMEA would function according to the rules of the market.

Greek government, in late June, approved the draft bill on the post-Olympic use of security expertise gained during the Athens Olympic Games.

The minister had said that KEMEA was designated to cooperate with foreign governments and provide advice and know-how obtained during the Olympics to organize security for similar organizations and events.

Source: Xinhua