Coast guard fleet to be strengthened with six new boats

The Greek coast guard is to get six new patrol boats in a deal mostly funded by the European Union.

Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis signed an agreement on Wednesday which will see Greece pick up the six vessels for a total cost of 13.3 million euros.

The EU External Borders Fund will provide 75 percent of the money, with the other 25 percent coming from Greek taxpayers.