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To maximize trade-related benefits, get customs advice, or ensure robust representation before the European Commission and EU courts in trade and EU matters, clients turn to Vassilis Akritidis and his team for clear advice and dedication to a positive result. Beyond disputes, proactive compliance and proper corporate governance are essential for success. Vassilis organizes compliance training programs for executives to ensure smooth and cost-effective navigation through the complex web of EU and World Trade Organization regulations.

Vassilis has been practicing EU and international trade law in Brussels since 1991. He qualified in Athens as a maritime lawyer and then pursued graduate studies in European law at the Institute of European Studies in Brussels. An internship at the State Aid Directorate-General for Competition convinced Vassilis that EU and supranational law are hugely interesting. He started as an EU competition and public procurement lawyer and over the years focused increasingly on international trade and WTO law. Vassilis is regularly quoted by renowned legal directories as an expert in these fields.

Vassilis helps his clients win trade investigations, achieve and improve market access, maximize trade benefits, and be trade-compliant wherever they operate. He advises and represents private clients, professional associations, and governments in trade defense investigations (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, safeguards), customs investigations and litigation, trade sanctions/export controls, and EU anti-fraud investigations led by the European Anti-Fraud Office and the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Vassilis also advises on EU State aid and EU internal market and public procurement.

Vassilis has worked for clients active in the steel, chemicals, high-tech, transport, defense and aerospace, automotive, and agriculture/food sectors. He represents clients before the EC and other non-EU trade defense authorities.

Should things get contentious, Vassilis is an experienced litigator, representing parties before EU courts in Luxembourg as well as national customs and administrative tribunals.

Vassilis works with his colleagues at Crowell Global Advisors, our global government relations, public policy, and public affairs affiliate, in matters involving EU public policy and lobbying.

As they have on each previous anniversary, the EU and UK released new sanctions against Russia on February 24, 2025, to mark the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For the first time, the United States did not do the same, electing to issue a limited set of Iran-related sanctions on the anniversary

Amidst all of the discussion about potential impacts in Europe of changes to US policy, some senior politicians have raised whether the EU could use the ACI to protect its interests. This article explores what the ACI is, how it works, what remedies it provides, and how business can influence those discussions.

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The notification obligations set out in the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) became applicable about a year ago. High value M&A transactions and government calls for tender now need to be notified to the European Commission before they can be finalized. What lessons can be learned from the application of the FSR to date? Has

An overview on new Russian sanctions and export controls issued by the European Union, focusing on anti-circumvention measures and the Russian financial, military, and LNG industries.

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The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive represents a significant step in aligning corporate activities within sustainable and ethical practices, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to environmental and human rights standards.

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In recent years, the number of cases brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has significantly increased. To address this, the European Council has adopted changes that should give the CJEU considerably more flexibility in how it handles certain preliminary ruling requests, and in particular those relating to international trade issues. 

From September 30, 2023, new EU and UK sanctions will come into effect targeting the imports of specified iron and steel products which are processed in third countries and incorporate Russian-origin iron and steel inputs. Importers will need to declare upon import whether the imported goods are compliant (and be prepared to provide evidence demonstrating