European Commission appoints new Head of Representation in Cyprus

The European Commission has launched the procedure to detach Androulla Kaminara, a Commission official, as Head of Representation in Cyprus, with effect from April 16, 2008.

She replaces Themis Themistocleous who was appointed Director General of the state-run Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation in January.

Ms Kaminara currently serves as the Commission’s Director for Quality of Operations in “Europe Aid”, a division that provides expertise and quality oversight to headquarters and to EC delegations on development co-operation throughout the world.

An official announcement issued in Nicosia said that “Ms Kaminara has a long standing and varied career in the Commission at high political level including the private offices of several Commissioners. She has negotiated agreements with partner countries and with international organisations, with professionalism and diplomatic skills.”

“The Commission is pleased to have selected such an outstanding official with wide experience as Ms Kaminara. Her communication talents will be of great service to the Commission in its work in Cyprus.”

Representations, which are managed by DG Communication, are the official voice of the European Commission in the member states. They represent the Commission and have a mandate to explain policies of the European Union and make Europe more understandable to people.

They also provide information about the EU to government and civil society and reach out to all communities, while their responsibilities include the analysis and reporting to the Commission on policies and trends in public opinion in the country concerned.