Greece Honors Former Prime Minister Costas Simitis with State Funeral

Simitis, remembered for leading Greece into the eurozone and modernizing the nation, was laid to rest in Athens after four days of national mourning.

Costas Simitis, who served as Greece's prime minister from 1996 to 2004, was honored with a state funeral attended by top officials and the public in Athens.
Simitis is celebrated for his pivotal role in Greece's entry into the European Union's single currency in 2001 and Cyprus's EU accession in 2004.
Under his leadership, Greece undertook major infrastructure projects, including preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympics, and pursued a pro-European modernization agenda.
His tenure also saw moments of tension with Turkey, including near-conflict in 1996 and later diplomatic progress through 'quake diplomacy' following mutual earthquake aid in 1999.
While widely respected for his reforms, his legacy has been scrutinized due to economic challenges and corruption scandals that emerged after his time in office.