Earlier this month, four new ambassadors from Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Ethiopia were formally welcomed to the Principality by Prince Albert II and Marie-Catherine Caruso-Ravera, Monaco’s Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations.

On Thursday 17th October, the four senior diplomats submitted their letters of credence to the Prince before being welcomed to the Principality with a ceremony attended by Monaco’s Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations, Marie-Catherine Caruso-Ravera.

Among the newly appointed emissaries is Pavlos Kombos, who hails from Cyprus. With a degree in international law from the University of Edinburgh, specialising in EU law, Kombos has held numerous high-level positions representing his country throughout his career. He previously served as the Deputy Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe and worked within the EU External Action Service. Most recently, he was Deputy Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU. He currently holds multiple roles, including Ambassador to France, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Also joining the diplomatic ranks in Monaco is Manisha Gunasekera of Sri Lanka. With 28 years of diplomatic experience, she has previously held positions as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to South Korea. Gunasekera holds several degrees, including a doctorate from Sciences Po, Paris. She now serves as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France and is simultaneously accredited to Spain, Portugal and Andorra, alongside her role as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Cambodia’s David Luy is a graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and began his diplomatic career in 1999. He has since held various high-ranking positions, including Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, and Secretary of State in charge of International Cooperation. He is currently Cambodia’s Ambassador to France and is also accredited to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta and Andorra.

Finally, Mahlet Hailu Guadey of Ethiopia has an extensive background in political science and international relations. She is a graduate of Addis Ababa University and holds a Master’s degree from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in Paris. Ambassador Guadey has significant experience in various roles within Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has also served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN in both New York and Geneva. She now represents Ethiopia as Ambassador to France, with additional accreditation to Portugal, Spain and the Holy See, as well as serving as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

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Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department