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H.E. Laurence AUER

Political science, English language and literature, and Arabic language and literature graduate

Previously held positions

2020-2023        Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France in Bucharest

2017-2020        Director of culture, education, research and networks at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs

2016-2017 Deputy director of the European Union
2013-2016 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France in Skopje
2010-2013 Secretary general at the French Institute in Paris
2006-2010 Director of the French Institute in the United Kingdom
2003-2006 Deputy spokesperson in the Office of the President of the Republic
2002-2003 Adviser in the office of the Minister
2000-2002 Deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of foreign affairs
1999-2000 Spokesperson at the European Commission
1995-1999 Administrator for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, DG Relex
1991-1995 Adviser at the Permanent Representation of France in Brussels
1988-1991 Adviser in the office of the Secretary of State for the Environment
1985-1988 Environmental adviser (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

 

Honors

  • Knight of the French Legion of Honor
  • Officer of the National Order of Merit
  • Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters

Ms.Sandra Géhénot

Sandra Géhénot, BA Languages, MSC Business, worked as Key Account Manager for Railfreight Distribution (international freight division of British Rail) and EWS (now DB Cargo) for 10 years before joining UIC in 2000 as Senior Freight Advisor where she managed many projects with special focus on combined transport and rail operation. She was also in charge of corridor development through the ECCO project for European Rail Freight Corridors and the Global Team of Experts (GTE) for transcontinental developments. In this context she has collaborated regularly with many international partners such as UNECE, OTIF, CIT, UIRR, BIC, CCTT…

She was appointed UIC Freight Director in November 2016 and moved on to become Director of the European Region of UIC in 2023.

Sandra is a Belgian national, born in Italy, brought up in a Franco-German family. A native speaker of French, she also speaks English, Italian and German.

She is married, with one daughter.

H.E. Levan Beridze

Levan Beridze began his duties as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Hellenic Republic in June 2024. Before this assignment, he served as the Consul General of Georgia in San Francisco between 2020 and 2024 where, as the head of the mission, he contributed to the further development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Georgia and the western states of the United States. Several important projects were successfully implemented under the leadership of Mr. Beridze, which strengthened cooperation between Georgia and the US in tech, innovation, trade, tourism, and other related fields.

Before this particular appointment, Mr. Beridze served as a Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia to the United States for four years, where he led the Economic Section. Earlier, he worked as a First Secretary at the same Embassy being responsible for the economic cooperation matters between Georgia and the US.

Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Mr. Beridze worked for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where he was part of the project management team leading the Economic Rehabilitation Program in the conflict-affected regions of Georgia. In the period between 2009 – 2012 he worked as a Marketing Manager for the private Georgian wine company “Tiflisi Marani” contributing to the popularization of Georgian wine in the United States and Europe.

Mr. Beridze holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Delaware, USA.

With Georgian as his native language, he is fluent in English and Russian as well.

H.E. Timur Sultangozhin

Date and place of birth, 5 September 1981, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan

 

Education

  • MA in International Relations, University of Wales, Great Britain
  • Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Foreign Languages: English, Polish.

Honors

  • State Award of the Republic of Kazakhstan «For Exceptional Service»
  • Jubilee medal «25 years of the Diplomatic service of the Republic of Kazakhstan», «30 years of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan»

Career

2002 – 2003, Specialist of the Department of Export, Department of Weapon and Military Equipment Imports, Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan

2003 – 2004, Third Secretary, Department of Europe and America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

2004 – 2005, Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

2005 – 2005, Second Secretary, Center for Cooperation with the OSCE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

2005 – 2009, First Secretary, Embassy of Kazakhstan to Poland

2009 – 2010, Special Adviser to the Director, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

2011 – 2012, Associate Programme Officer, TND Department, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

2013 – 2015, Head, Pan-European Cooperation Division, Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

2015 – 2017, Deputy Director General, Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

2017 – 2020, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic

2020 – 2022, Director General of the Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

2022-2025, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Since January 2025, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic

Ms. Symela Touchtidou

Financial journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting on economic trends, financial markets, and corporate news in Greece and the wider South-East Europe. Proven expertise in analyzing complex financial data and translating it into accessible content for diverse audiences. Strong relationships with key industry stakeholders and a track record of presenting comprehensive analysis on challenging financial stories. Adept in digital media, with a solid understanding of multimedia storytelling and social media engagement.

H.E. Rudrendra Tandon

Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon assumed charge as India’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic on  27 June 2023. Prior to Athens, Ambassador Tandon was Additional Secretary (BIMSTEC & SAARC) in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1994. He has held postings at the Indian Embassies in Paris (France), Algiers (Algeria), Kabul (Afghanistan), and Moscow (Russia), and served as India’s Consul General in Jalalabad (Afghanistan). He served as India’s Ambassador to the ASEAN Secretariat from July 2018 to August 2020 and to Afghanistan from September 2020 to August 2021.

While posted in India, he has served as Under Secretary (Pakistan), Director in the Prime Minister’s  Office, Director (Pakistan), JS (PAI), and Joint Secretary (UNP).

Ambassador Tandon has done a Master’s Degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics and is married to an Indian Police Service Officer.

H.E. Stavros Avgoustides

Stavros Avgoustides is a career diplomat, serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus since 1998.

On 2 October 2023, Mr. Avgoustides was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in the Hellenic Republic. He is also accredited to the Republic of Albania and Georgia.

In the end of September 2023, Mr. Avgoustides successfully completed his mission as the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He previously served in Cyprus’ diplomatic missions: Deputy Head of Mission/Consul in Damascus, Syria (1999-2001); Consul in Athens, Greece (2002-2006); Chargé d’ Affaires a.I. in Sofia, Bulgaria (2006-2009); General Consul in Toronto, Canada (2009-2011); and as the Ambassador of the Republic in Sofia, Bulgaria (2014-2018).

During Cyprus’ Presidency of the European Council (2012), he successfully chaired the European Council’s Working Group on Consular Affairs (COCON).

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nicosia, he served in both the Protocol and Consular Affairs Divisions (1998-1999 and 2011-2014); in the EU Affairs Division (2001-2002); and as Head of the Middle East Department in the Middle East and Africa Division (2018-2019).

Born in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1972, he is holder of an MBA – University of Reading, UK (Henley Business School), an MA in International Relations and European Studies – University of Kent, UK (London Centre of International Relations), and an a BA in Political science & economics – Arizona State University, USA.

In 2018, Mr. Avgoustides was bestowed by H.E. the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev with the Order of the Madara Horseman – First Class, for his significant contribution to the establishment, strengthening and development of bilateral relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria, as well as for his efforts and support in raising awareness and funds for local and international charity organizations assisting children in Bulgaria.

Also a self-taught contemporary artist, has showcased and donated his artwork in a number of charity exhibitions, and promoted Cyprus’ rich culture through various creative collaborations.

He is married to Mrs. Daniela Ioannidou and has two children.

Mr. Athanasios Liagos

Thanos Liagos is a senior executive with experience in port management, corporate strategy and governance.

He has served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) S.A., Chairman of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and Chairman of “Exantas” Port Training Institute. He has also served as Vice-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and member of the BoD of Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) S.A.

He was a member of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund as a coordinator of the National Strategic Plan for Ports and Marinas and he served as a BoD member in all Port Authorities in Greece.

He has also held Executive positions in banks, financial institutions and large enterprises in Greece and abroad, as well as a member of the Board of Directors in these companies.

He studied economics at the University of Athens and holds an MBA postgraduate degree.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Executive MBA University of the Aegean, Department of Business Administration, member of the Advisory Board of the University of West Attica, MSc in Port Organization, Operation Development and Management.

He is a member of the Economic Chamber of Greece, the Association of Chief Executive Officers (EASE).

 

Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris

Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris is a Professor for Geopolitics & Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia where he coordinates the Energy Studies Programs of the School of Business.
In parallel, since 2019 he has been serving in the Office of the Minister of Environment & Energy as a Special Advisor with the responsibility of the Coordinator of International Energy Policy & Energy Security. From June 2022 onwards Dr. Tsakiris has been appointed by Minister Constantinos Skrekas as the Coordinator of the Committee for the Acceleration of E&P Hydrocarbon activities. He is a member of the National Committee responsible for the Drafting of the Greek Hydrogen Strategy H2. He has also coordinated the special expert groups of the Program Secretariat of Nea Demokratia which were responsible for the drafting of the government program for Energy in the periods 2016-2019 and 2022-2023

H.E. Juseong LIM

CAREER

May 1996: Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Dec. 2002: First Secretary, Korean Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium and Korean Mission to the European Union

Dec. 2005: Counsellor, Korean Embassy in the Republic of Lebanon

Dec. 2009: First Secretary, Korean Embassy in the United States of America

Apr. 2013: Assistant Secretary, Office of the President

Feb. 2014: Director, Protocol Division I, MOFA

Dec. 2014: Counsellor, Korean Embassy in the Republic of Singapore

May 2018: Counsellor, Korean Embassy in the Arab Republic of Egypt

Jul. 2020: Minister and Consul-General Korean Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Oct 2022: Director-General for Protocol Affairs, MOFA

Mar. 2023: Deputy Protocol Secretary, Office of the President

Jul. 2024: Ambassador, Korean Embassy in the Hellenic Republic

 

 

AWARD: Dec. 2011, Prime Minister’s Citation

 

EDUCATION

Aug. 1995: B.A. in Spanish Language, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea

May 2001: M.A. in Law and Diplomacy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, MA, USA