The Minister of Development Mr. Takis Theodorikakos attended today the handover ceremony at the offices of the Consumer Ombudsman. Ms. Anna Stratinaki assumed the role of Consumer Advocate, replacing Mr. Lefteris Zagoritis. Ms. Vasiliki Bolou remains Deputy Advocate and Mr. Efthymios Tsigas is Assistant Advocate.

Mr. Theodorikakos stated, among other things, that the Ministry of Development will support the Independent Authority in every possible way in order to carry out its work in the best possible way for the benefit of all consumers. He thanked Mr. Zagoritis for his valuable ten-year presence and contribution to this great institution, while he wished good success to Ms. Stratinaki.

The new Consumer Advocate talked about the bet that the citizen-consumer learns his rights and how he can activate them, but also about the digital upgrade, so that the Advocate can respond faster. The outgoing Advocate spoke about the important work carried out during these ten years of his term and thanked the partners and employees for their efforts.

The Minister of Development emphasized in his speech:

Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you for the welcome. As employees of the Consumer Ombudsman you do a very important job. I have recently spoken highly of the effort and work Mr. Zagoritis has produced over the past 10 years. A very large circle, which helped to enshrine this institution in the citizens’ consciousness. The fact that the number of cases arriving here at the Consumer Ombudsman has increased enormously shows the enormous needs that exist to further improve the work being done.

I want this to be clear. It is a commitment of the Government and I personally want to do everything in our power so that the Consumer Advocate
strengthen even more, its already positive imprint. To stand by the citizens who are also consumers, to protect them against problems and threats that exist in today’s commercial transactions of all kinds. So, I expect from Ms. Stratinaki, who as you know is the choice of the Government and has gone through the whole process by the Institutions Committee of the Parliament, that she will produce a very important project. He has all the prerequisites and abilities.

Agreeing with what Mr. Zagoritis said – that the Consumer Advocate has become much more well-known over the years, compared to other similar institutions – I am sure that in the next period you will positively employ us as Consumer Advocates. It’s just that this time the presence will be a female presence and that too is welcome.

In fact, I see that the vast majority, the executives who work here in the independent authority, are women and that is also welcome. Ladies we hope and believe in you.

I want it to be clear that whatever you ask of us in terms of institutional changes and strengthening of the logistical infrastructure, as long as the goal is
consumer protection, will be absolutely acceptable. It is the Government’s job, together with the independent authorities, to protect the consumer. We support and strengthen healthy entrepreneurship, but we are here to protect citizens from any negative phenomena.

Concluding this intervention of mine, let me mention that the two deputies, Mrs. Bolou and Mr. Tsigas, will continue their very positive work with us. I am waiting for Ms. Stratinaki to tell me what else we need, beyond the assistance of the two very worthy people and executives of this authority, so that the Consumer Advocate can play its positive role in favor of the consumer, in favor of the citizensn.