The President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, announced, earlier today, the opening of the international conference “The Evolution of Competition Law Policy and Implementation National and International Perspectives”, which is organized by the Competition Commission, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its establishment.

During his greeting, Mr. Tasoulas stated that “the thirty-year operation of the Competition Commission as an independent Authority highlights the commitment of the Greek state to transparency and economic progress” and added: “Its importance is not measured only by its decisions, opinions and regulatory interventions, but by the very nature of its mission.

This is an Authority, which, although it is not among the constitutionally protected independent Authorities, is an integral part of the national and EU institutional architecture, having managed to emerge as a crucial guarantor of the orderly functioning of the markets and the institutional credibility of the state”.

He also noted that “from 1995 until today, the Competition Commission has substantially contributed to the creation of an environment of equal opportunities and healthy entrepreneurship, to the consolidation of critical sectors of the economy and to the cultivation of a new culture in business activity, where compliance with legality and transparency are conditions and not obstacles to development.”

As the President of the Republic emphasized, “over the decades, the Competition Commission has been present at defining moments of the country’s economic life, dealing with complex cases of oligopolistic practices, innovative forms of partnerships and market crises with efficiency and consistency.”

“At the same time, it has strengthened its international presence, with its active participation in the International and European Competition Network, contributing its experience and know-how and having taken initiatives on contemporary issues, such as the integration of sustainable development in the context of healthy competition”, he added.

He pointed out that “today’s event, which concerns the development of policy and the application of competition law in Greece and internationally, is a valuable stage for dialogue and exchange of experiences, while underlining the importance of constantly monitoring the changing conditions of the global economic environment and the need to revise policy tools, so that they respond to the challenges of our time.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, the ever-increasing power of digital platforms, the new – often invisible – forms of economic concentration, but also the need for green sustainable development, are issues that know no national borders and require coordinated institutional actions.”

In this context, he observed that “the independence of the Competition Commission, the strengthening of its institutional tools, the continuous upgrading of its know-how, as well as its cooperation with the respective Commissions of other countries are necessary conditions for the realization of its mission. A mission that becomes even more critical since, within this environment, the protection of competition cannot be perceived as a simple technical regulation of the market.

It is primarily a matter of democracy, institutional balance and social justice, since 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 development and social cohesion”.

“The state recognizes the importance of the role of the Competition Commission and stands as a helper in its quest for a fair, efficient and sustainable economy”, concluded Mr. Tasoulas.