NICOSIA – The Republic of Cyprus will reported soon announce the establishment of two bodies, the National Geostrategic Council and the National Energy Council.

The groups will be composed of academics and experts rather than political appointees. The National Geostrategic Council will be headed by University of Nicosia Rector and former diplomat Professor Michalis Attalides. The National Energy Council will be chaired by Dr Andreas Poullikkas, from the Cyprus University of Technology.
The government did, however, ask for the input of the political parties in drawing up a list of potential academics to fill the new posts, from which the executive made its choices, according to the Cyprus Mail.
Early reports pointed to the possibility that former Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou would be made head of the Geostrategic Council “but it appears the negative press reports influenced the government’s decision in making non-political appointments to both councils. The same sources confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that Fotiou will instead be appointed as Commissioner for overseas and religious groups’ affairs, a post previously taken up by Katie Clerides,” the Mail reported.