Nikos Christodoulides

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Economics, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies from Queens College, City University of New York, a master's degree in Political Science from New York University and another in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Malta, and, finally, a doctorate from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Athens.[3]

He began as a career diplomat in 1999 and served as one until 2013. During this period he served as Director of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Spokesperson of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Cyprus in Greece, Director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Consul General at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the United Kingdom.[3] His wife is also a Cypriot diplomat, Philippa Karsera, and they met in 1999 as newly-appointed diplomatic attaches in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is currently Deputy Head Director of the President's Diplomatic Office at the Presidential Palace.

Furthermore, between the years 2007 and 2010, Christodoulides lectured and served as a Research Associate at the Department of History and Archeology of the University of Cyprus. Specifically, he taught the subject of "History of the Postwar World".[2] Finally, prior to his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 1 March 2018, he served as Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic of Cyprus between 2013 and 2018, and Government Spokesman between 2014 and 2018.[3]

Christodoulides meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in November 2018

Upon re-election in February 2018, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, appointed Christodoulides as head of the foreign ministry, among several new appointments to his cabinet.[1] He assumed office on 1 March 2018.

Foreign minister Christodoulides visited Israel in June 2018 and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin to discuss regional developments and the strengthening of bilateral ties in energy and emergency situations. Apart from Turkish incursions, they talked about strategic cooperation on the planned EastMed pipeline.[4]

Regarding recent provocations by Turkey in disrespect of the Exclusive Economic Zone claimed by the Republic of Cyprus, Christodoulides noted that Nicosia will not be swayed by Turkey's actions. During a meeting on Greek-Cypriot cooperation with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, he said that the "number one goal is the reunification of the country."[5]

In May 2018, Christodoulides officially asked the United Nations to prepare for a speedy re-opening of the re-unification process. After meeting Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias on 7 May 2018, he praised General Secretary António Guterres for having dispatched a special representative to sound out the atmosphere for reopening talks.[6]

Christodoulides welcomed an announcement by Exxon representatives in June 2018 to speed up their schedule to begin drilling operations in Block 10 of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Operations are now planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.[7]

On 17 July 2018 Christodoulides met High Representative Federica Mogherini in Brussels. They talked about "the crucial role the EU can play in efforts to resume the stalled Cyprus peace talks". During his visit, Christodoulides stated that Cyprus does "not have the luxury of a new talks’ failure." But he also insisted that "Turkey has to comply with European standards and international law."[8]