Sede200312cvrondos en docx

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Alexander George Rondos

A Greek national, born in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, in 1954. Educated in Kenya and 

UK. Completed BA (Hons) at Oxford University (Brasenose College). Career has 

included journalism at West Africa Magazine, followed by twelve years work in relief 

an development work. Eight years for Catholic Relief Services in senior management 

positions in Ethiopia and the Middle East. Created the first inter-Orthodox relief 

agency, International Orthodox Christian Charities, and established operations in the 

former Yugoslavia, the Russian Federation, Georgia, the West Bank and Gaza. After 

two years at the World Bank, became an adviser to the Foreign Minister of Greece, 

counseling and implementing policy in the South-Eastern Europe and the Middle 

East. Promoted to Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic.

On 8 December 2011 the Council appointed Alexander Rondos as the EU Special 

Representative to the Horn of Africa.

From 2009 to 2011 he has carried out missions on behalf of the Prime Minister of 

Greece. This has involved mediation in the Balkans and Middle East. 

Has served on the International Commission for the Balkans. Is a Board member of 

MediatEUr. He also has carried out discrete diplomatic missions aimed at mediating 

resolution of outstanding differences in the Balkans and the Caucasus.

 As adviser to the Foreign Ministry and the Government of Greece, undertook numerous 

special missions. 

In period up to 2004, these included the political negotiation and design of a 

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relief mission to Kosovo during the NATO bombing campaign (report provided 

to UNSG); 

Maintaining contact with  democratic forces in Serbia up to and during the 

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change of power in October 2000; 

Establishing and serving as Director General of the Department of International 



Development Cooperation. 

In this capacity, led the Greek humanitarian mission to Turkey following the 

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earthquake there in 1999 that contributed to a rapprochement between Greece

and Turkey. 

Negotiation with Israeli and Palestinian authorities on resolution of occupation of 

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the Church of Nativity. 

Also served as envoy of on missions to Turkey, governments in the Middle East, 



Balkans, Europe and the USA.

Served as Chairman of Working Table l of the Stability Pact for the Balkans; and, as 

Personal Representative of the Rumanian Chairman in Office of the OSCE. 

World Bank (1996-1998)

Specialist on social and NGO issues advising on social impact of bank investments, 

relations with non-governmental organizations, and helped formulate a special initiative 

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of the President of the World Bank with religious faiths.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (1992-1996)

Chief Executive and founding director of the first inter-Orthodox relief and Development 

agency (based in Baltimore, USA). Developed and established programs in the Former 

Yugoslavia, Russian Federation, Georgia, Lebanon, West

Bank and Gaza. Special focus on inter-religious cooperation and reconciliation as a 

primary aim of the organization.

Catholic Relief Services (1985-1992)

Served in several management positions. Seconded to Ethiopia to establish special 

initiative to negotiate and design the delivery of relief across Ethiopian and Eritrean lines 

in 1985-1986. Based in Egypt as Director for Middle East operations (1986-1990), 

established development programs throughout the region and managed relief programs 

into Lebanon. Also served as a liaison of the agency with the Vatican on issues related to 

the Middle East. Director for Government and Media Relations (1990-1992) based in 

USA. Led the first relief assessment mission into the Russian Far East in 1992.

Center for Development Policy (1982-1984)

Based in Washington DC, created a commission of activists to bring attention to the 

mounting humanitarian disaster in Africa. Provided testimony on Capitol Hill, briefed 

media and coordinated advocacy work of a variety of public interest groups.

West Africa Magazine (1977-1982)

Reporting, editorial writing and book reviews specializing on francophone Africa. During 

this period also wrote for newspapers and did radio reporting.

Education

Pembroke House, Gilgil, Kenya (1962-1967)

Haileybury College, Hertford, UK (1967-1972

Brasenose College, Oxford University – BA (Hons) in History and Modern 

Languages(1973-1977)

Languages

English, French, Greek, German (fair). Some Swahili.

Personal

Birth:

10 April, 1954, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

Nationality:

Greek

Marital:

Married with children

Domicile:

Athens, Greece