The Directorate of International Relations and Communication, which reports directly to the President of the Hellenic Competition Commission, is primarily responsible for monitoring, participating in and communicating the issues relating to the functioning of free competition at national, European and international level.

It should be noted that the vast majority of National Competition Authorities at European and international level,  have already established, many years ago, and operate directorates or independent departments of international relations and communication, to which attention is drawn in their capacity as an important factor for the shaping of competition policy of the authorities in these countries, due to their key role and the enhanced nature of their responsibilities.

The Directorate for International Relations and Communication creatively and constructively supports the work of all other Directorates, Branches and Departments of the Hellenic Competition Commission, with the aim of promoting their work and actions not only in the national but primarily in the European and international environment. 

The operational objectives of the Directorate are mainly focused on the effective promotion and support of the mission, positions and aspirations of the HCC concerning its relations with the competent EU agencies, international Organizations, networks of Competition Authorities, National Competition Authorities or Agencies of other countries, as well as the contact and connection of the Administration and the Services of the HCC with the above international authorities, organizations and agencies.

Also, its main objectives are the implementation of actions with the aim of validly informing organizations and businesses on issues related to the main mission of the Hellenic Competition Commission and, in general, strengthening the outreach and advocacy efforts of the Authority.

The structure of the new Directorate for International Relations and Communication

The Directorate for International Relations and Communication consists of the Departments:

• The Department for International Relations and
• the Department for Digital Communication and Public Relations.

The Department for International Relations has in particular the responsibility of communication and cooperation with the European Commission and the National Competition Authorities of the Member States of the European Union on issues that generally fall within the competence of the EU. In this light, it prepares, organizes and coordinates the representation of the HCC, in cooperation with the President, in the bodies, committees and working groups of the European Commission provided for in the Regulations, in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) , the International Competition Network (ICN), the European Competition Network (ECN), its participation in events, committees and working groups organized by the above Organizations or by other National Competition Authorities, as well as any other international cooperation. It is also responsible for the coordination, in cooperation with the other organizational units of the Hellenic Competition Commission, of the research programs of the European Union and international organizations, for the design and implementation of the public relations programs of the HCC as well as for the organization and observance of the Protocol of European and International Documents. The aim of the operation of the Department is to contribute to the consolidation of the mission of the Competition Commission as well as to be a model unit of communication and cooperation with the bodies of the European Commission and the International Organizations and bodies for the promotion and exchange of views and ideas on competition issues. 

The Department for Digital Communication and Public Relations is mainly responsible for the communication and relations of the HCC with the media, providing information on the responsibilities and work of the HCC, the organization of press conferences, as well as the preparation and distribution of press releases and information leaflets, and organizing the various events of the HCC. It also supervises the website and the intranet of the HCC and the social network accounts and other electronic social media of the HCC and is responsible for the design, implementation and management of audiovisual and digital competition promotion material.

Mary Chamilou Director of International Relations & Communication

Kostas Gkourloumenos Head of Digital Communication & Public Relations Unit