Speaker

Marilena Raouna, born in 1983 in Larnaca and originally from Famagusta, studied Law at Oxford University (BA in Jurisprudence) and holds an LLM in Public International and European Law from the London School of Economics (Chevening Scholar), as well as a diploma in French Language and Civilisation from Sorbonne University.

From 2007 to 2010, she served at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Justice, Security and Freedom, managing the Daphne III programme against violence towards women, youth, and children. From 2010 to 2014, she was at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, focusing on EU-Turkey relations, EU enlargement policy, and Turkish Cypriot community issues. During Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency in 2012, she co-chaired the Working Party for Enlargement (COELA) and negotiated the Instrument for Pre-Accession Regulation.

Between 2014 and 2018, Raouna worked at the Diplomatic Office of the President, coordinating and advising on EU matters, and participated in Cyprus Problem negotiations under the UN. From 2018 to 2021, she served as Special Advisor on EU issues and EU-Turkey relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From March 2023 to January 2024, she was the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President and EU Sherpa, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the National Council. As of January 17, 2024, she is the Deputy Minister for European Affairs.