Androulla Kaminara

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H.E.
Androulla Kaminara
Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan
In office
17 September 2019 – May 2022
Preceded byJean François Cautain (2015-2019)
Director of Humanitarian Aid Operations for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean and Pacific | DG ECHO
In office
July 2016 – August 2019
Principal Advisor and Head of Task Force on Knowledge, Performance and Results | DG DEVCO
In office
July 2014 – June 2016
Personal details
Born29 April 1957
Republic of Cyprus
NationalityCypriot, British & Greek
EducationMasters International Politics from Université Libre de Bruxelles & MSc Diploma Management Science from Imperial College, University of London
Alma materUniversity of London & Université Libre de Bruxelles
AwardsInternational Peace Award Global Ambassadors Award

Androulla Kaminara (born 29 April 1957) is a former European civil servant who from September 2019 to May 2022 served as the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.[1] As such, she was the first female ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan.[2] Before her appointment to the European External Action Service, she joined the European Commission in 1991, where she has served in various Directorates General, including those dealing with technology, communications, development cooperation, international relations, and humanitarian aid.

Kaminara has held a number of high-level positions at the European Commission including five years as Director for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean and Pacific in the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO),[3][4] and Principal Adviser and Head of the Task Force "Knowledge, Performance and Results" in the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development from 2014 to 2016.[5][6] She has served as a member of Cabinet in the offices of two European Commissioners with portfolios in development cooperation and energy and small and medium-sized enterprises policy respectively.[7] She served for two years as EU fellow/visiting academic at St. Antony's College, Oxford University,[8][9][10] and as research associate of King's College London, specializing in EU policies and in geopolitics of energy. Before joining the European Commission, Kaminara was a special adviser to two cabinet ministers in Greece and managing director of a private consultancy firm.

Early and personal life[edit]

Androulla Kaminara was born in Cyprus in 1957. Cypriot by birth, Kaminara also holds British and Greek citizenship.[7] She is married. She takes a keen interest in arts and culture. Her hobbies include swimming and scuba diving and holds a captain's license for sailing.[11] She can speak Greek, English, French, Spanish and Turkish.

Education[edit]

Androulla Kaminara holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in geology from King's College and in physics from University of London, a Master of Science degree in management science from Imperial College, University of London, as well as a Maîtrise in international relations from Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels.

European Commission[edit]

EEAS - European External Action Service[edit]

Androulla Kaminara assumed the office as Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan on September 17, 2019.[2] She presented her credentials to President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi during a ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on November 7, 2019.[15]

During her tenure as an Ambassador, Kaminara has been working for the promotion of EU-Pakistan Business & Trade. She launched an EU – Pakistan Business Forum,[16] a series of one-day conferences to highlight both the potential of Pakistani SME's and the opportunities of the European Single Market as export destination. The EU-Pakistan Business Forum raised awareness about the European Single Market among Pakistani SMEs and to discuss the experiences and challenges SMEs are facing to be part of global supply chains and to export to Europe. During the three editions in Islamabad[17][18], Lahore[19][20] and Karachi[21][22] the Business Forum focused on a range of sectors, such as IT, gems and jewelry, surgical goods, auto-parts among others.

During her tenure as Ambassador, Kaminara also highlighted the importance of Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).[23] She actively engaged with Pakistani lawmakers, the business community as well as journalists and the wider public to underline GSP+ being a central pillar of the EU-Pakistan relations. Highlighting the benefits Pakistan has drawn from the GSP+ system since Pakistan obtained the trade preference in 2014,[24] she underlined the untapped potential for Pakistan.

In her efforts to promote Interfaith Harmony, Kaminara initiated, a series of interfaith roundtables, in collaboration with Maulana Abdul Khadir Azad, Grand Imam of Badshahi Mosque, with the first one taking place in Islamabad in December 2020[25][26] and last one in July 2021.[27] This initiative brought together representatives and experts with very different backgrounds: religious leaders and human rights activists and they all shared the objective to advance interfaith harmony and the respect of the freedom of religion and belief.[28]

Under her ambassadorship, the EU cooperated closely with the Economic Affairs Division on donor coordination, streamlining of programme approval procedures and other topics relevant to the cooperation of the Government of Pakistan with Development Partners. The EU signed five financing agreements in 2020–2021, worth EUR 141 M, with the Government of Pakistan, related to public finance management, rule of law, education, water management and poverty reduction, ensuring funds commitments in a timely manner. Consultations were held at federal and provincial levels in 2020 and 2021 on the future multi-annual indicative programme for bilateral EU-Pakistan cooperation from 2021 to 2027, paving the way for funding of the coming seven years.[29]

Kaminara was the chair of the Pakistan chapter of the Core Group - Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and is spearheading the multilateral Core Group platform on policy and operational dialogue to foster inclusive policies and resilience building measures for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.[30]

Awards and recognition[edit]

International Peace Award[edit]

International Peace Award

On 24 November 2021, Androulla Kaminara was awarded the International Peace Award in recognition of her services for the cause of interfaith harmony during the International Interfaith Peace Conference[31] in Islamabad organized by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony and Majlis Ulema-e-Pakistan with financial support by the EU Delegation. The award was presented by President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi, co-convener of the conference. [32][33][34]

Global Ambassadors Award[edit]

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib presenting award to Androulla Kaminara in the fourth Global Ambassadors Award Ceremony 2021

On 25 November 2021, Androulla Kaminara received an award acknowledging the services of Foreign Diplomats in Pakistan.[35] The award was presented by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib in the fourth Global Ambassadors Award Ceremony 2021 organized by The Diplomatic Insight Group. Androulla Kaminara was recognized for her work to promote the political, economic, cultural, educational, people-to-people contacts, trade, and development works in Pakistan. As well as her close coordination with Government of Pakistan to further strengthen the EU-Pakistan Relations. During the ceremony, Global Ambassadors Awards were also given to the Ambassadors of the Republic of Iraq, of the Kingdom of Morocco, of Romania, of the Federal Republic of Somalia, of the Kingdom of Spain, and of the Republic of Yemen, as well as the WHO Country Representative in Pakistan, the Consul General of Moldova, the Agricultural Commissioner of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and the Third Secretary Embassy of Kazakhstan to Pakistan.[36]

Publications[edit]

Energy and  security  in the East Mediterranean: How  energy  will  play  an  increasingly  important role  in  the security of the East Mediterranean (March 2014) Opinion Piece by Androulla Kaminara in South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX)[37][38]

Now there is a window of opportunity for decisions leading to the optimization of the benefits from East Mediterranean natural gas discoveries (March 2014) Article by Androulla Kaminara[39][38]

The gender dimensions of energy policy" (July 2015) Opinion Piece by Androulla Kaminara in South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX)[40]

Opinion editorials (2019-2022)[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Androulla Kaminara - Academic and Political Analyst - Freelance". op.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  2. ^ a b "About the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan". EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  3. ^ a b "Citizens' Dialogue in Warsaw with Androulla Kaminara, Director, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), European Commission". European Commission. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b "DG ECHO C4 Director -Ms. Androulla Kaminara & C4 Team Leader Flavio Bello visit to Nepal". Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Androulla Kaminara". European Union. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "Androulla Kaminara - Gender Summit". gender-summit.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  7. ^ a b c d e "A tale of three nationalities". POLITICO. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  8. ^ a b "Research Associates and Advisory Board". eucers.com. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  9. ^ a b Seesox (2014-02-06). "The SEESOX Blog: The Eurozone crisis: An insider's view from Cyprus". The SEESOX Blog. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  10. ^ a b Seesox (2014-02-08). "The Eurozone crisis: An insider's view from Cyprus". Political Economy of Financial Markets. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  11. ^ "A brief welcome video from the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan H. E. Androulla Kaminara". Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Press corner". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  13. ^ a b "AGENCE EUROPE - ..." agenceurope.eu. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  14. ^ European Commission in Cyprus (2009-02-04), Head of European Commission Representation in Cyprus Androulla Kaminara visits Pyla,4 February 2009 [2], retrieved 2022-01-12
  15. ^ "Envoys present credentials to President Arif Alvi". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  16. ^ "EU Delegation launches forum to facilitate Pakistani SMEs, boost trade to European Union". Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan. 14 September 2021.
  17. ^ EU Pakistan Business Forum for SMEs, retrieved 2022-01-13
  18. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's (2021-09-09). "EU-Pakistan business forum for SMEs launched". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  19. ^ EU- Pakistan Business Forum for SMEs, retrieved 2022-01-13
  20. ^ Report, Recorder (2021-10-12). "Second phase of EU-Pakistan Business Forum begins tomorrow". Brecorder. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  21. ^ EU Pakistan Business Forum for SMEs (Karachi Chapter), retrieved 2022-01-13
  22. ^ "EU Delegation organises Business Forum in Karachi to encourage Pakistani SMEs, boost trade to European Union". DNA News Agency. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  23. ^ "Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) - Trade - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  24. ^ "Pakistan - Trade - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  25. ^ "Roundtable discussion explores ways to promote interfaith and intra-faith dialogue in Islamabad". Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan. 9 December 2020.
  26. ^ Report, Recorder (2020-12-10). "Interfaith and intra-faith dialogue: Roundtable discussion for promotion organised". Brecorder. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  27. ^ "Intrafaith and Interfaith roundtable conference organised in Lahore in collaboration with the Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony Pakistan and the European Union Delegation to Pakistan". Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan. 8 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Standing together for inter- and intra-faith harmony and dialogue". Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan. 9 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027" (PDF). European Commission. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  30. ^ "SSAR | Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees - Support Platform". SSAR Support Platform. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  31. ^ International Interfaith Peace Conference - President Dr. Arif Alvi's speech | (24.11.2021), retrieved 2022-01-08
  32. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2021-11-25). "EU ambassador receives International Peace Award". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  33. ^ "Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)". Pakistan promoting interfaith harmony to ensure world peace: President. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  34. ^ "EU Ambassador Kaminara bestowed upon International Peace Award by the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, Diplomatic Insight Group confreres Global Ambassador Award". EEAS. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  35. ^ Times, Daily Parliament (2021-11-26). "Foreign diplomats building strong bilateral ties with Pakistan is praiseworthy: Farrukh |". www.dailyparliamenttimes.com. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  36. ^ https://thediplomaticinsight.com/global-ambassador-awards-conferred-to-diplomats-and-business-community/
  37. ^ Kaminara, Androulla (March 2014). "Energy and security in the East Mediterranean: How energy will play an increasingly important role in the security of the East Mediterranean" (PDF). South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX) – via St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
  38. ^ a b "Androulla Kaminara | University of Oxford - Academia.edu". oxford.academia.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  39. ^ Kaminara, Androulla (March 2014). "Now there is a window of opportunity for decisions leading to the optimisation of the benefits from East Mediterranean natural gas discoveries". Academia.edu.
  40. ^ Kaminara, Androulla (July 2015). "The gender dimensions of energy policy" (PDF). South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX) – via St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
  41. ^ "Time for real honour". Daily Times. 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  42. ^ "Why women in sports matter". The News International. 2020-03-08. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  43. ^ "Pak-EU ties: fostering prosperity everyday". The Express Tribune. 2020-03-17. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  44. ^ "Europe Day". The News International. 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  45. ^ "Transgender rights during times of Covid-19". The Express Tribune. 2020-05-17. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  46. ^ "Against child labour – making a promise to Zohra". The Nation. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  47. ^ "Further strengthening electoral processes". The Nation. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  48. ^ "Right to legal representation". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  49. ^ "Common grounds for religious and social harmony and its contemporary significance". The News International. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  50. ^ Coke-Hamilton, Androulla Kaminara | Pamela (2021-03-11). "Brighter future". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  51. ^ Kaminara, Sharmeela Rassool | Androulla (2021-06-16). "The game changers". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  52. ^ "Democracy vital for prosperity and sustainable development". The Express Tribune. 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  53. ^ "COP26 as the turning point: From climate negotiations to solutions". The Nation. 2021-10-15. Retrieved 2022-01-13.

External links[edit]

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