• International Conference

• Programme

• Participants

• Conference Videos

• Anniversary Video

• Photographic Album

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International Conference

«The Evolution of Competition Policy and Enforcement – National and International Perspectives»

On Monday, October 20th, 2025, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) organized an international conference on: "The Evolution of Competition Policy and Enforcement – National and International Perspectives", at Grande Bretagne Hotel, in Athens, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its establishment.

The conference was attended by politicians and the business community, senior judges, heads of independent competition authorities from around the world, heads of international organisations, presidents of independent administrative authorities, distinguished academics, lawyers, economists, and IT scientists from Greece and abroad and many more and of course our people working at the HCC.

The conference was opened by the HCC’s President, Ms. Irene Sharpe, who referred to the work of the HCC over the last 30 years and stated that "the history of the Hellenic Competition Commission is the history of the Greek economy, a history of adaptation and continuous effort to achieve fairness and transparency in the functioning of the market."

In his opening remarks, His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, stated that the Hellenic Competition Commission has proven to be major guardian of the smooth functioning of markets and the institutional credibility of the State, that the protection of competition cannot be viewed as a mere technical market regulation and that "it is primarily a matter of democracy, institutional balance and social justice, as the consolidation of the rule of law and the protection of free competition are interrelated elements, and only strong, independent and technologically adequate institutions can guarantee equal opportunities, inclusive growth and social cohesion."

In his opening speech, the Minister of Development and Investment, Mr. Takis Theodorikakos, stressed the crucial institutional role of the Hellenic Competition Commission in ensuring the smooth functioning of the economy, while the Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mr. Carmine Di Noia, referred to the role of the Hellenic Competition Commission in enhancing the efficiency of the Greek market and expressed the OECD's strong commitment to working closely with the HCC in competition law enforcement.

The conference was opened by heads of competition authorities in the EU who are largely shaping competition policy today. They discussed the evolution of competition policy and law and their relationship with broader issues and policies, such as industrial policy, development justice and sustainability, developments in merger control as well as the need for an equilibrium between ex ante and ex post intervention.

The President of the HCC and former heads of the Authority discussed the historical course and institutional evolution and resilience of the HCC as an independent authority during its 30 years of operation.

The President of the Council of State, current and former presidents of Greece's most important authorities spoke about the role of both the constitutionally and the non-constitutionally established independent authorities, the meaning of their independence, the importance of consensus and meritocracy in the selection of their members, their position in the Greek legal system and the cooperation between them.

During the conference, representatives from authorities from all over the world, including the European Commission, stressed the need for international cooperation in a globalised and digital world, as well as the role of authorities, such as the HCC, in international competition networks within the European Union and at global level.

Ms. Hara Nikolopoulou, Vice-President of the Hellenic Competition Commission, closed the conference by pointing out that economies grow when institutions are strong and that the Hellenic Competition Commission looks to the future with readiness and optimism, aware of its responsibilities and acting on multiple levels and internationally. She emphasised that the Hellenic Competition Commission remains open to discussion in order to contribute to policies that support Greece’s consistent role in development and innovation.

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Programme

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Participants

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Videos of the Conference

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Anniversary video

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Photographic Album

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Printed material

Milestones of the Hellenic Competition Commission

The Programme of the Conference

“HCC’s 30years Anniversary” – Greek logo

“HCC’s 30years Anniversary” – English logo

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