New Ambassador to Sofia and authority to act in Armenia

At its session on Thursday 22 October, the Government appointed a new Ambassador to Sofia and decided on authorisation to represent Finland in Armenia.

Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos.
Photo: Kimmo Räisänen

The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Sofia starting on 16 November 2020.

Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos moves to Sofia from the post of Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East, which she has held since 2016. Before that, she served as Director of the Unit for Sectoral Policy in 2013–2016. Her earlier career in the Diplomatic Service includes posts in Brussels, Athens and Manila.

Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1999. She holds a Doctor’s Degree in Social Sciences.

In addition, the President of the Republic authorised Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Kirsti Narinen, Roving Ambassador based at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to represent Finland in Armenia a well.

Inquiries: Kirsti Pohjankukka, Director General for Human Resources, tel. +358 29 535 0038