The European Commission announced on Wednesday 5 May the appointment with immediate effect of a special envoy “for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief” outside the EU: the task has been entrusted to Christos Stylianides from Cyprus, former European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management and EU coordinator for the fight against Ebola.
Mr Stylianides will be responsible for working in countries where discrimination on the basis of religion or belief is rife, including working to establish a dialogue between national authorities and stakeholders, the Commission says. He will report to Vice-President Margarítis Schinás.
On Wednesday, the Commission also appointed Nathalie Berger from France as Director for Support for Reforms in the Member States in the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM). Ms Berger has extensive experience in the areas of internal market and financial services, having contributed to the strengthening of financial prudential rules after the 2008 crisis.
Finally, the European institution has appointed Myrto Zambarta, a Cypriot, as head of the Commission’s Representation in Nicosia from 1 September. His 15-year career, notably in the Directorate General for Trade (DG TRADE), has given him expertise in international trade, humanitarian aid and crisis management. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki and Mathieu Bion)