NICOSIA (Xinhua) -- Cyprus nominated former first lady Androula Vassiliou on Friday as the new European Union Commissioner for Health to replace her compatriot Markos Kyprianou, who was appointed the island state's Foreign Minister.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has informed the Council and the European Parliament that he intends to assign Vassiliou the health portfolio, according to an EU press release.
The nomination must be approved by the Council and Vassiliou will appear before the Parliament.
Kyprianou, also a Greek Cypriot, submitted his resignation on Thursday after he was appointed Cyprus' new Foreign Minister by President Demetris Christofias, who has just took office.
Androula is married to George Vassiliou, former President of the Republic of Cyprus (1988-1993) and Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession to the EU.
She started her career as a lawyer and was elected to Cypriot parliament for two terms. She was also Vice President of the European Liberal Democrats and Reform Party (2001-2006) and chairperson of the European Liberal Women's Network.