Barrot pleads with Greeks on IMO stance.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: 'We want nothing more than appropriate representation', says commissioner, writes Nigel Lowry in Athens

EUROPEAN Union transport commissioner Jacques Barrot has urged Greece to drop its objections to the commission's pursuit of representation at the International Maritime Organization, one of several EU policies that have left Greek shipowners fuming.

On a charm offensive in Athens coinciding with the second Hellenic Maritime Day, Mr Barrot played down differences between Brussels' and industry views.

Answering critics who have accused it of seeking to undermine the IMO, he maintained that the commission was 'fully aware' of the global nature of shipping and appreciated the case for a steady legal environment favourable to business. 'But stable does not mean frozen,' he stated.

The commissioner blamed 'tabloid reporting' for impressions of bad blood between the commission and the IMO. 'It has nothing to do with reality,' he declared.

'We want nothing more than an appropriate representation. I and my services maintain an excellent relationship with [secretary-general] Mr Mitropoulos'.