In performing the above described functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity and necessarily relies on the work and assurances of Company management and the independent public accounting firm, which, in their report, expresses an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s annual financial statements to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
In addition, in reliance upon the reviews and discussions as outlined above, the Audit Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC and presentation to the Company’s shareholders.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Nicholas F. Tommasino – Chairman
Efstratios Georgios Arapoglou – Member
Denis Petropoulos – Member
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that might “incorporate by reference” future or previous filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the above “Report of the Audit Committee” shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings, nor shall it be deemed to be soliciting material or deemed filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act.
This Proxy Statement also includes references to our website address. This website is intended to provide inactive, textual references only. The information on this website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
Independent Registered Public Accountants
The accounting firm of Ernst & Young (Hellas), Athens, Greece served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and has served in such capacity since 2002.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
An aggregate amount of €693,000 and €19,950 was billed and accrued for fiscal year 2023 relating to fees for audit services and audit-related services, respectively, performed by Ernst & Young (Hellas), Athens, Greece. An aggregate amount of €666,750 and $ nil was billed and accrued for fiscal year 2022 relating to fees for audit services and audit-related services, respectively, performed by Ernst & Young (Hellas), Athens, Greece. Audit fees include the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and for related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with regulatory filings or engagements for those financial years (including comfort letters, review of the 20-F, consents and other services related to SEC requirements). Audit related services in 2023 related to services rendered in connection with the Company’s filling of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 with the SEC on August 4, 2023.
The Audit Committee Charter sets forth the Company’s policy regarding retention of the independent auditors, requiring the Audit Committee to review and approve in advance the retention of the independent auditors for the performance of all audit and lawfully permitted non-audit services. The Chairman of the Audit Committee, or in the absence of the Chairman, any member of the Audit Committee designated by the Chairman, has authority to approve in advance any lawfully permitted non-audit services. The Audit Committee is authorised to establish other policies and procedures for the pre-approval of such services. Where non-audit services are approved under delegated authority, the action must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
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