New Head of the European Commission in Athens
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The European Commission has appointed Zacharias Giakoumis as the new Head of its Representation in Athens. In this role, he will serve as the official representative of the European Commission in Greece, under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. The exact date on which he will assume his duties will be announced at a later stage.
According to the European Commission, Mr. Giakoumis brings twenty years of professional experience within EU institutions, with a strong background in administration, communication, crisis management, civil protection, external relations, interinstitutional coordination and negotiations. His ability to build and lead teams, operate effectively in dynamic communication environments and cultivate productive relationships across a wide spectrum of stakeholders has been central to his work in advancing the EU’s humanitarian and civil protection agenda.
Since 2023, he has served as Head of Unit responsible for communication, events and public information at the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). Prior to this position, he worked as Policy Assistant to the Director General of DG ECHO. Before that, he was a member of the private office of former Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides. Before joining the European Commission in 2014, he worked at the European Parliament.
Mr. Giakoumis’ appointment marks a significant moment for the European Commission’s presence in Greece, reinforcing the institutional role of the Representation in Athens and strengthening its capacity to communicate EU priorities, policies and initiatives to Greek citizens and stakeholders. His extensive experience in European governance and crisis related fields is expected to contribute to a more dynamic and effective engagement between the European Commission and the Greek public sphere.
