Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has appointed a special representative of the Republic of Cyprus for religious freedoms and protection of minorities in the Middle East, a government spokesman in Nicosia announced on Monday.
The island republic’s special representative will be Amb. Thessalia Salina Shambos, the current political director at Cyprus’ foreign ministry and a former high-profile ambassador to Israel.
She held the latter diplomatic post when Israel launched the so-called “Abraham Accords”, and was also a close associate to then Foreign Minister Christodoulides during the initiation of the Paphos summit, which included Greece, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Shambos has recently focused on establishing a maritime humanitarian corridor from the east Mediterranean island to Gaza.
The appointment will come into effect as of Jan. 1, 2025.
According to reports, the appointment marks the first time a western country has appointed such a representative for the specific region.
Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah during a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Jordan at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, November 27, 2024. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
