Keynote Speakers

Costas Andropoulos
Enterprise and Industry, Head of Unit,
ICT for Competitiveness and Innovation European Commission

Costas Andropoulos is an economist with studies in Greece and Canada. He joined the Commission 25 years ago in what is known today as DG Competition. His first job was one of desk officer responsible for State aid in various industry sectors, including steel, textiles, cars, non-ferrous metals, shipbuilding etc. He became a Head of Unit in 1992, responsible for State aid in the shipbuilding and steel sectors. In 1996 he moved to DG III (Industrial Affairs) and became Head of Unit for Maritime Industries. In 2000 he was asked to head a larger unit dealing with Aerospace, Defence, Rail and Maritime Industries in the same DG.

In April 2004 he became Head of Unit for Technology for Innovation, ICT industries and ebusiness and today serves as the Head of Unit for ICT Competitiveness and Innovation.

Admiral Juan A. Moreno

Director NATO Standardization Agency

Admiral Juan A. Moreno joined the Naval Academy in August 1967.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1972, and became Vice Admiral in July 2007. 

During his long and distinguished career he has commanded several vessels including Patrol Boats, Submarines and a Frigate.  Other sea duties, especially whilst a junior officer, included assignments on board destroyers,  mine hunters, a frigate and submarines, where he performed a variety of duties such as Communications, Navigation and Operations Officer. 

Ashore, he has served as Naval Assistant to the Fleet Admiral, and in the Operations Branch of the Spanish Naval Staff. He has had assignments as member of the Multinational Logistic Cell, for COMNAVSOUTH in Naples, Italy during Operation Sharp Guard, and he was detached to CINCNAV, Roma, Italy, for the planning and development of the Operation Alba in Albania.    From March 1999 until March 2002 he was Assistant Chief of Staff Operations to the Spanish Fleet Staff in Rota, and between 2002-03 he commanded the 41st Frigate Squadron, also located in Rota.

In September 2002 he was designated Commander Task Force 150 for the Operation ‘Endurance Freedom’ and was promoted to Rear Admiral.  In March 2003 he became Commander Joint Task Force 840 for the operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ and commanded the Spanish Task Force in Iraq.  In July 2003 he was assigned the task of Advisor to the Spanish Chief of Defence and in December 2003 he became Head of Operations Division for the Spanish Armed Forces HQ in Madrid. In August 2005 he took over the position of the Spanish Military Representative for SHAPE in Mons, Belgium.

On promotion in July 2007, Admiral Moreno was assigned to the post of Director, NATO Standardization Agency.