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Has read Law in Athens University. Post-graduate studies in Law, Economics and International Relations and in Medieval History in Strasbourg and Cambridge.  DEA European Law, DIHEE European Economy. Practiced business law and EU law. Consultant on E.U. topics to the Athens Daily Newspaper Publishers’ Association.

Member, then national representative, of the negotiating team for the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes. Counsellor to the Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Counsellor to the Minister for Culture, Chairman of the Committee of Cultural Affairs at the E.U. Council. Consultant to the Bank of Greece. Founding member and member of the Board of a number of European affairs institutes and reviews in Greece (EKEME, EKEM, EEK)

From 1972 onwards a journalist and then a columnist at the Greek political daily “TO VIMA” and at the economic and financial weekly  “ECONOMICOS TACHYDROMOS”, specialising in macro-economic policy European affairs and foreign relations. Has also worked at “ELEFTHEROTYPIA” and “IMERISSIA” newspapers, managing editor of “ELEFHEROS TYPOS”.

Writes a bi-weekly column at “NAFTEMPORIKI”. Presently managing director of ECONOMIA Publishing.

Ambassador Michael B. Christides has been  the Secretary General of the Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1949, Ambassador Christides joined the Hellenic MFA in 1976 as first in his Class and served with distinction until his retirement in August 2014. Among other assignments he served as Ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria, to Turkey and to Argentina and held senior posts in the Hellenic MFA as Political Director for South East Europe, as Director General for International Organizations, International Security & Cooperation and as Director General for International Economic Relations.

Ambassador Christides has spent more than 20 years dealing with S.E. European and Balkan issues. He acquired a broad knowledge of the political and economic realities there and established a wide network of high-level political, business, academic and media contacts. He speaks fluent English, German, French, Italian and moderately good Spanish.

• Geo Routes Institute | President of the BoD
• Balkans & Black Sea Forum | Chair
• AgriBusiness Forum | Chair
• Gnomon Performance | CEO

Giannis is a forward-thinking, inspirational and results-oriented executive focusing on generating growth, transforming organizations and achieving excellence across businesses, institutional and public sectors. In his career, he has served as a Planning, Product, General Manager and CEO of Greek and multinational firms.

Giannis has been the founder and currently serves as President of the BoD at Geo Routes Institute, Chair of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum & AgriBusiness Forum and CEO of the leading event-destination management company Gnomon Performance.

He has repeatedly designed and led large-scale intercontinental projects, he has served as BoD member of the Association of Chief Executive Officers, fm. VP of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, member of the Confederation Europeenne de Cadres, the Meeting Professionals International, the UN Global Compact and other relevant international organizations.

In his career, he has demonstrated excellent skills in cross-cultural and cross-sectoral negotiations, policy strategies, and Below the Line  (BTL) communication, as a result of his broad experience in multiple countries around the globe.

Giannis has a financial background in banking management. He speaks Greek (mother tongue), English, and French.

Costis Stambolis is the Executive Director of the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) and its current Chairman. He has a background in Physics and Architecture having studied at the University of London, the North East London Polytechnic (NELP) and the Architectural Association in London from where he holds a Graduate Diploma in Architecture and Energy Studies (AA Dip. Grad). He also holds a professional practice license from the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), and a Masters Degree from the Said Business School, University of Oxford, where he studied “Strategy and Innovation”.

Costis has carried out numerous projects on Renewable Energy Sources in developing countries. He has consulted widely on solar building applications for both private and institutional clients in various European countries. Furthermore, he has worked as a consultant and strategy advisor on natural gas, oil markets and energy security issues for large multinational companies, international organizations and governments.

Costis has lectured widely on energy issues and has organized several national, regional and international conferences, seminars and workshops. He has published several books, edited conference proceedings, and authored research papers. Among others he is the editor of  the “S.E. Europe Energy Outlook (2011,2017, 2022)”, which is considered a basic reference on energy for SE Europe.

Since 2001 he manages Greece’s foremost energy site www.energia.gr. He is a founding member of the Institute of Energy for South East Europe (IENE). He is a member of the Energy Institute (UK), the International Passive House Association (IPHA), and The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). Since 2018 he also serves as a full member of the Greek government’s standing committee on Energy and Climate Change (NECP).