SOCIETY 375

SOCIETY
We value the relationship with Austria very much, especially on the
people-to-people level.
consequences resulting from the
Turkish invasion of 1974 and the subsequent
occupation of 1/3 of Cyprus‘
territory as well as the aggressive
behaviour of Turkey, which is quite
challenging. Recently, we discovered
large reserves of natural gas in our Exclusive
Economic Zone and of course,
we would like to proceed with this exploitation
because the whole country
and all its citizens could profit from
that. The problem we face right now is
that Turkey continues its aggressive
behaviour and is violating international
law by threatening to drill in the
Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic
of Cyprus. As a member state,
we see the EU as our family and we are
very happy with the strong messages
that are coming from the EU on this
matter. Like Austria, we also believe in
strong adherence to the international
law, respect for human rights and our
European values, and this is one of
the reasons why we have a very strong
relationship with each other. Because
of the proximity to conflict areas in
the Middle East, we have been facing
migration challenges like other Mediterranean
countries, we are trying to
integrate those migrants as much as
we can but in the last months, the migration
intensified as the routes have
changed. For us, it is very important
to deal with this issue on a European
level guided by our common values
and with solidarity.
Between 2014 and 2017, Cyprus
executed a strategic action plan on
gender equality. How important is
it still to keep the discourse about
gender equality vivid?
Cyprus has quite a few female Ambassadors
and women in important
positions in the Ministry, working as
Director of the Office of the Minister,
Head of Cyprus Question Department
or Head of Administration, for
example. The first female Ambassador
was appointed in 1993; we have come
a long way in the foreign service but
at the same time, we still have a long
way to go. We made this specific
action plan to take things ahead. The
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos
Christodoulides recently appointed
a Special Advisor on Gender who will
help the Ministry to take the Gender
Action Plan further on a regional,
national and international level. In the
diplomatic context, we are aware that
life as a diplomat is very challenging
for both men and women. However,
diplomacy is changing a lot. I think
we are all moving towards new times
and we have to find a way to adapt to
these changes. It is very important for
women to network and promote the
cause of other women. It is central to
make sure that any special needs are
being reflected and being taken into
account. Gender needs to be seen as
a cross cutting theme/issue. I think
that more women in diplomacy would
incorporate a diversity of aspects,
since women represent fifty percent
of the population everywhere. It is
also important that men engage with
this kind of change because it affects
everyone, gender topics are both for
men and women.
Do you think there are differences
between male and female Ambassadors
in their management style?
I do not believe in any innate differences
between men and women
when they negotiate, if anything, the
differences are historical as they have
been mediated by culture and are due
to the fact that women have not been
in the positions of power for so long.
There might be differences in leadership
styles even though I think that
the individual’s personality also has an
(...) more women in
diplomacy would incorporate
a diversity of
aspects, since women
represent 50 percent
of the population (...)
impact on this. The management style
of an Ambassador might also be influenced
by the general foreign policy and
the decisions of the Ministry itself; the
size of the country plays a role too on
how formal or informal and hierarchical
decision making is. Nowadays, there
is far more exposure and awareness
of these topics and a broad discourse
about encouraging and reflecting
societal diversity. It is important, that
the whole society is being reflected – in
the interest of fairness but also in the
interest of efficiency because taking in
different points of views and reflecting
the social structure is very important.
We also have to hear the voices of the
young people. It is more and more
difficult for them to get good jobs and
to enter the labour market in time,
we need to become more inclusive
because this way, we can enrich and
empower the whole society.
INTERVIEW CYPRUS
025