Cyprus Appoints Special Envoy for Middle East Religious Minorities, Garnering US Support

Cyprus has taken a proactive stance on the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East by appointing Thessalia Salina Shambos as Special Representative for promoting humanitarian and developmental assistance to religious minorities, particularly Christians.

This move has been welcomed by the incoming US administration of Donald Trump, which has signaled its intention to prioritize the protection of Christian minorities in the region.

President Nikos Christodoulides' decision to create this position highlights the urgency of the situation and Cyprus's desire to play a key role in addressing it. Shambos' mandate focuses on health, education, reintegration programs, and the preservation of cultural heritage sites. She also aims to strengthen Cyprus's diplomatic ties within the EU and the Middle East, capitalizing on its strategic location and cultural connections.

The timing of this appointment coincides with Cyprus's upcoming EU presidency in 2026, offering a platform to amplify the voices of Christian minorities and advocate for their rights, particularly as Syria and Lebanon are anticipated to seek EU assistance. Cyprus is expected to leverage this opportunity to secure tangible protections for these communities, aligning with the stated priorities of the incoming Trump administration and its supporting Christian lobbies.

This initiative has already gained attention within Trump's circle, with Breitbart News emphasizing its alignment with the president-elect's foreign policy goals. Both President Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos have underscored Cyprus's unique position as a predominantly Christian nation in the region and its capacity to lead these efforts. Kombos emphasized the need for comprehensive data on minority populations, suggesting Cyprus can provide crucial information and support to international actors seeking to protect these communities.

The appointment of Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born Greek Orthodox Christian and Trump's daughter Tiffany's father-in-law, as a senior advisor on Arab affairs and the Middle East further underscores the incoming administration's focus on the region.

Analysts believe this initiative will elevate Cyprus's strategic importance to the US. Its established relationships with both Arab states and Israel, its geographical proximity to the Middle East, and its EU membership are seen as valuable assets. This is likely to foster closer collaboration between the US and Cyprus under the Trump administration, particularly with key figures like Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor nominee Mike Waltz.

Shambos' experience as Cyprus's ambassador to Israel during a crucial period, including the launch of the "3+1" cooperation mechanism with Greece, Israel, and the US, the Abraham Accords, and the establishment of a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza, further strengthens her credentials for this new role. Her prior collaboration with Trump's first ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, also suggests a pre-existing working relationship that could facilitate cooperation between the two countries.