Brussels, 13/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission authorised Greece to pay an aid in favour of it postal services. Granted in the form of subsidies and capital injections, this aid totals EUR 415 million and will be used for the modernisation of infrastructures, notably the acquisition of automated sorting materials, the replacement of the vehicle fleet, and equipment for the information technology offices. These improvements were considered crucial given that the quality of the universal postal service in Greece does not match European standards. The Commission feels that these aids, which only cover the cost for the modernisation, will not lead to distortions to competition, thus facilitating the mission for public service of the Greek post office.