Leonidas Pantelides became ambassador of Cyprus to the United States on June 27, 2016. Ambassador Pantelides previously served as first deputy permanent secretary/director of the Middle East and North Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2013-16); ambassador/permanent representative of Cyprus to the United Nations in Geneva (2011-13); and head of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic (2008-11).
In addition, he was the Cypriot ambassador to Russia, with parallel accreditation to Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus (2004-08); ambassador to Greece, with accreditation to Albania, Bulgaria and Romania (2001-04); and ambassador to Sweden with accreditation to Iceland, Norway, Latvia and Denmark (1998-2001). Other postings include director of the Office of the Foreign Minister (1997-98); director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary (1996-97); member of the presidential working team during the U.N.-sponsored intercommunal negotiations (1993-98); and first secretary at the Cypriot Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1989-93).
Ambassador Pantelides studied philosophy and holds a Ph.D. from the Interdisciplinary Studies Department of the University of Kent in England (1983). The subject of his doctoral dissertation was the concept of time.
He has taught international affairs as a part-time professor and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Diplomatic Academy at the University of Nicosia. The author of a book on philosophy, Ambassador Pantelides was born in Nicosia on Jan. 11, 1953, and is the father of four grown children.
Contact Information
Embassy of Cyprus
2211 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 462-5772
Fax: (202) 483-6710
Website: http://www.cyprusembassy.net/home/