New Australian High Commissioner named

EVAN Williams has been confirmed as Australia’s new High Commissioner to Cyprus, replacing Garth Hunt in June.

A statement by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith read: “Australia and Cyprus share a strong relationship based on enduring community links, shared democratic values and our active membership of the Commonwealth and United Nations.

“Australia is a long-standing supporter of the reunification of Cyprus and welcomes renewed efforts towards a settlement to the Cyprus dispute. Australia warmly welcomes the commitment by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to initiate full-fledged negotiations towards a comprehensive solution and their swift actions in opening the Ledra Street crossing. Australia encourages both parties to maintain this dialogue and to maximize this opportunity for a just and lasting solution.

“Australia will continue to support international efforts towards a solution to the dispute including by its ongoing contribution of civilian police to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.”

Williams is a career officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Director in the Post Security Task Force.

He is married with two sons.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.