The new board of directors of the Hellenic Association of Bakery and Confectionery Businesses (EPAZ) has been formed, following its election at the association’s regular general meeting on May 20.
Specifically, the new board of directors consists of:
Panagiotis Monemvasiotis, President
Fotis Stavratis, First Vice President
Makis Stamatakis, Second Vice President
Vasilis Pelardis, Secretary
Evangelos Pelekhas, Treasurer
Pavlos Terkenlis, Member
Panagiotis Stergiou, Member
Christos Sovolos, Member
Spyros Gavriilidis, member
Eleftheria Kontilieris, member
Pantelis Paschalidis, member
Alternate members:
The members of the new board of directors of E.E.P.A.Z., in a joint statement, emphasize:
“Over the past three years, we have seen our positions confirmed and our proposals vindicated—even by some who initially mocked them. The fact that we have been proven right does not bring us joy—because it means that our industry is indeed threatened with extinction—but it serves as a driving force to intensify our efforts and continue the fight for the survival of our businesses.
Unfortunately, there are some—not always within the industry—who do not want our industry to have a unified and strong voice and prefer to present it as divided into “categories,” each of which carries a different weight and sensitivity. We say that it matters little who is the one sounding the alarm.
What really matters is that the alarm is heard by those who need to hear it and that something—even now—is done to change the situation, regardless of whether it is professionals or businesses sounding the alarm. Ultimately, when a bakery (regardless of size) closes, a business closes.
Bakeries and pastry shops are the most traditional and beloved types of businesses among our fellow citizens. And these businesses in Greece operate to high quality standards, in well-maintained spaces, offering exceptional products—even though they are forced to do their work under adverse conditions and with their viability threatened on a daily basis. These businesses must be protected in order to survive. And to achieve this, the industry must have a strong voice so that we can hope those in charge will listen to us.
EEPAZ’s call to everyone in the industry to agree on what unites us remains open. Now is the time for everyone to take on their responsibilities.”