PRESS RELEASE – PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO SAMOA, H.E ANTONIS SAMMOUTIS (TUESDAY 27 AUGUST 2024)

H.E Mr Antonis Sammoutis, the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Samoa presented his Letter of Credence to the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, during a Credentials ceremony held at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele this morning. High Commissioner Sammoutis is accredited to Samoa with residence in Canberra, Australia.

Samoa and Cyprus established diplomatic relations on 24 May 2000. During the credential ceremony, the remarks by the Head of State and the High Commissioner reaffirmed Samoa and Cyprus' continued collaboration at the multilateral fora including at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the ACP-EU on issues of mutual interest including democracy, international law, peace and security, the promotion of human rights and sustainable development. The High Commissioner of Cyprus indicated that he will further enhance the two countries' cooperation and share experience in areas that can be mutually beneficial for young people such as education, vocational training, sports and other exchanges that will strengthen the two countries' friendship.

The Head of State expressed his confidence in H.E Saminoutis' appointment as the High Commissioner of Cyprus to Samoa which will further strengthen our cooperation in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of our two countries. Samoa looks forward to hosting Cyprus and our Commonwealth family at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October of this year.

H.E Antonis Sammoutis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Philology from the University of Cyprus and a Masters of Arts in Contemporary Diplomacy from the University in Malta. He joined the Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus in 2003 and held various positions in the Consular, Protocol, Middle East Department and the Department of Bilateral Relations with European countries. He was posted in the Cyprus diplomatic missions as Second Secretary - Consul in Berlin, Germany (2004-2007), as Consul General in Saint Petersburg, Russia (2007-2011), as Head of the Representative Office in Ramallah, Palestine (2011-2013), as Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow, Russia (2014-2016), as Consul General in Moscow, Russia (2018-2020) and then as Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow, Russia (2020-2022).

H.E Sammoutis was appointed High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia since 10 October 2022 with cross accreditation to New Zealand and Samoa. He is married to Elena Makhankova and they have two daughters.

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SOURCE - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Photos by Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)