Ambassador Catherine Koika is a distinguished Greek diplomat with extensive experience in international relations, covering both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. She served as Consul General of Greece in Paris from 2008 to 2011. From 2013 to 2014 she headed the Office of the Secretary General for International Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2015 and 2019 she held the position of Director of the diplomatic Cabinet of the President of the Hellenic Republic, where she oversaw the planning and coordination of the President’s international engagements and initiatives. In 2019 she was appointed Ambassador of Greece to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna. During her four- year tenure she was recognized for her professionalism, leadership and commitment across all areas of bilateral and UN engagement as well as for her contribution to strengthening Greece’s international relations and networks. Since January 2024 she has been serving as Director General for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on strategic communication and particularly on cultural and educational affairs. In this role, she leads a broad range of outreach initiatives aimed at enhancing Greece’s image worldwide and showcasing its rich cultural heritage- both classical and contemporary. She works closely with the Ministry of Culture and other institutions to design initiatives that foster dialogue, creativity and mutual understanding on the global stage. Ambassador Koika holds a bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Athens and a master's degree in European studies from the University of Strasbourg. She is fluent in English, French and Italian, and has a good command of German.