Our Mission

The Hellenic Centre for European Studies (ΕΚΕΜ) was founded in 1988. EKEM is an entity established under private law, supervised by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Centre focuses on conducting scientific research on a series of European issues providing Greek decision-makers with accurate analysis and policy proposals. It serves both as an advisory body to the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a think-tank, in an effort to generate innovative ideas for a coherent European policy in Athens.

At the same time, ΕΚΕΜ is charged with the task of informing the academic, business and political community on matters concerning the activities and actions of the European Union, while also raising public awareness on matters of European integration. The Centre has additionally assumed a leading role in human capital development, by implementing a series of life-long learning initiatives on European governance issues. A seven-member Executive Board presides over the Centre while a ten-member Scientific Board supervises its research activities.

Executive Board

According to Law 1791/88, a seven-member Board presides over EKEM for a four year period, with its members selected by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At least one Board member is selected among the higher, or senior, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at least one among the members of the Greek academic community.

Current Board Composition:

President and Director General
Panagiotis Koutsoumpelis, International Relations Expert

Vice-president
Kostas Yfantis, Associate Professor on International Relations, University of Athens

Secretary
Andreas Papastavrou, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Accountant
Georgios Christonakis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Other members of the Board
Stathis Eustathiades, Journalist
Sofia Kounelaki-Efraimoglou, Board Member, Hellenic Federation of Enterprises
Panagiotis Michalos, President of the Union of Greek Businessmen

Scientific Board

A Scientific Board is charged with the supervision of the Centre’s scientific research activities. The Board consists of highly esteemed members of the academic community, with experience in European and International Affairs. The activities of the Scientific Board are coordinated by the Centre’s Vice-President, while EKEM’s Executive Board is responsible for selecting its members.

Currently, the Scientific Board consists of:

Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, International Relations Professor, Panteion University
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, European Union Law Professor, University of Pireus
Konstantinos Lavdas, Political Science Professor, University of Crete
Thomas Moutos, Economics Professor, University of Pireus
Ioannis Seimenis, President of the Mediterranean Studies Department, University of the Aegean
Panagiotis Liargovas, Associate Professor on International Economic Relations, University of the Peloponnese
Asteris Chuliaras, Associate Professor on Geopolitics, Charokopeion University
Konstantinos Delikostopoulos, Lecturer, Pantheon-Assas University
Dimitris Xenakis, Lecturer on International Politics, University of Crete

Staff
Alexandros Papanastasiou
Dimitris Xenakis
Ioannis Armakolas
Anastasis Chatzivasileiou
Gerasimos Tsourapas
Christos Kaloudis
Elena Lazarou
Annaliza Tsakona
Stavros Kourtalis
Andreas Hardaloupas
Penny Konitsioti
Eleni Fotiou
Maria Gianniou
Maro Badeka
Efi Asimakopoulou
Vasiliki Kanellou
Fotini Tamviskou
Marina Sotiropoulou
Lydia Sakellaropoulou

Junior Researchers (link)
Stagiaires (link)

Support EKEM
EKEM is able to implement its projects thanks to the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to its founding law, EKEM has additional sources of financing from state and/or private institutions and enterprises, as well as from individual donations and sponsorships. In addition, the Centre undertakes the implementation of a series of European programmes.
Moreover, the Hellenic Centre for European Studies welcomes the support of those who share the vision of Greece as a vital member of the European Union’s inner core and of those who appreciate the attempt to shape a concrete and complete European policy in our country, in an environment of security, political stability and economic development for its broader area.

Financial support towards EKEM could take, among others, the following forms:

• Structural support. This form of financial support is of paramount importance, as it allows the Centre to proceed with its long-term planning in order to successfully meet the challenges of our time and the demands of a modern think tank.
• Funding for the implementation of any existing as well as any new research programs.
• Funding for specific actions or events.

ΕΚΕΜ feels the obligation to express its gratitude to all those who have been supporting its work through their generous offers, with which they have provided proof of the interest of the Greek business world and social institutions in the evolution and innovation of our research fields.
We would like to thank particularly the following, in particular:
Hellenic Defense Industry
European Commission
European Parliament
Boutaris Wine Factory SA
Region of Attica
Ministry of Economics and Finance
Craft Food Hellas S.A.
Eurobank
HSBC Bank
Intracom Holdings S.A.
ΝΑΤΟ Public Diplomacy Division

For further information, please contact with Mr. Alexandros Papanastasiou, Administrative Director of EKEM, on tel: (0030) 210 3215549 or at his email address: Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από κακόβουλη χρήση. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε την Javascript για να τη δείτε.