Press Release
SEV’s position
on Independent Regulatory Authorities and Agencies:
«Economic growth calls for independent and effective regulatory institutions».
The legitimacy and effectiveness of regulatory authorities or agencies, especially those with
the duty of deregulation, regulation and market inspection, is inherently linked to their
ability to act independently, free from external influence either from the companies they
supervise or from the State. Therefore operational independence and accountability of such
bodies is a prerequisite for market liberalization and investments that would lead to
competitiveness and growth. Independent regulatory agencies coincide with legal certainty,
safeguard competition and provide for the necessary rule of law as a prerequisite to attract
investment and support private sector development.
Independent Regulatory Authorities or Agencies, standing by definition within the State and
the private sector, bear the burden and obligation of deregulating, regulating and
supervising economic activity and markets (such as the case of telecoms under Hellenic
Telecommunications & Post Commission or energy under Regulatory Authority for Energy,
EETT, e.tc). Therefore they cannot be considered neither as a “division” nor as a
“department” of the competent Ministry.
In order to reinforce the independence vis-à-vis the accountability of such authorities in
Greece we call for:
a) disentanglement from the authoritative power of the competent Minister compared to a
greater interconnection with the Parliamentary institutions not only for the supervision of
functions and operations but as well as during selection of members,
b) stronger cooperation and supervision from EU institutions (such as DG Competition and
ECN in the case of HCC) and
c) enhancing accountability through stronger cooperation with stakeholders, external audit
and reporting.
The deficit of strong independent and effective institutions in Greece deprive from our
country investment funds, detach us from the European family and severely harm our
international presence. The "de-politicization" of public administration and independent
regulatory authorities is a major priority for the restructuring of Greek economy in its quest
for growth. The above mentioned principles though have to be widespread and not
selectively implemented, throughout the public administration and independent authorities
or agencies.
Sadly, we report evidence towards the opposite direction such as:
 the attempt to induce a disciplinary infringement for the board members and the
staff of Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) on “…non compliance with acts
or decisions of competent Minister”, that was hopefully avoided.
 the targeted suspension of board members of Independent Authorities
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the selection of board members through a system lacking objective criteria that
would guarantee the scientific knowledge and expertise of the suggested
members
a selective approach to issues of political conflicts
SEV, Hellenic Federation of Enterprises strongly supports that the utmost guarantee of
independent, effective and accountable Regulatory Authorities or Agencies derives from
the integrity, scientific knowledge and expertise of its board members and staff. It is the
institutional capacity deriving from knowledge that enables them to cooperate on equal
terms with their peers within the EU institutions and promote the European acquis.
Therefore it is our duty and obligation to promote their independent operation away from
any political or other interventions.