Mr. Yiorgos Christofides
Director of Energy and Marine Policy Division,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Cyprus
T: +357 22 651133
E: [email protected]
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
2010 Masters in EU Law (Distinction), Kings College, London, UK
2008 Diploma in EU Law (Distinction), Kings College, London, UK
1999 Diploma in EU Law and Policy – Manchester University, UK
1997 Member of the Cyprus Bar Association
1996 Degree in Law – University of Athens
1990 High school degree (Distinction) Acropolis Lyceum, Nicosia
EMPLOYMENT:
Current: Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Cyprus (First Councellor)
September 2018 -…: Director, Division for Energy and Marine Policy, MFA Nicosia
September 2016 – August 2018: Head of EU Department, Directorate for EU and Bilateral Relations with
European countries, MFA Nicosia
August 2014 – September 2016: Deputy Director, Division for Energy and Marine Policy, MFA Nicosia
September 2010 – August 2014: Deputy High Commissioner, Cyprus High Commission, UK
2008 – Sept. 2010: Head of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the MFA
2004 - 2008: Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, Cyprus Delegate to the Council Working Group
for Enlargement and responsible for Cyprus Question issues in the context of the EU
2000 – 2004: Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the UN (UNSC matters)
1997 – 1998, Barrister – Markides and Markides Law Firm, Nicosia, Cyprus
1996 – 1997, Trainee Lawyer, Attorney General’s Office, Nicosia, Cyprus
LANGUAGES:
Greek – First language
English – Second language (daily professional use)
French – Third language (intermediate level)
"Regional Cooperation and Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean: A one - way street"
If geography is a country's destiny, Cyprus has concentrated its efforts, in the last few years, in reversing the
narattive of viewing its geopolitical position as a curse, and turning it to a blessing. We have managed, so far,
to establish trilateral partnerships with most countries of our immediate region, including Egypt, Israel and
Jordan, while the prospect of enlarging these partnerships by bringing in other European countries, and
beyond, serves to emphasise the significance and value of the task we have embarked on. Far from
underestimating the challenges ahead, we truly believe that Cyprus can, and should, act as an honest broker in
a region facing enormous challenges and contribute to bringing
stability in the Eastern Mediterranean through cooperation, including in the exploitation of natural resources
in the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, the private sector, and the gas industry in particular, stand to
benefit from a stable environment, conducive to investment in big projects, with the prospect of big dividends.
Cyprus is of the firm belief that cooperation is the means to stability and stability in the EastMed is a value that
can by no means be underestimated.