The President of PASOK–Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew this afternoon at the Phanar in Constantinople.
According to the party’s announcement, the Ecumenical Patriarch wished Androulakis God’s blessings for the New Year, congratulating him for his leadership of the opposition and extending the same wishes to his family, party, and the Greek nation. Androulakis, on his third consecutive visit to the Phanar for the Feast of the Epiphany, expressed gratitude for the Patriarch’s hospitality and conveyed his wishes for health and prosperity in 2025.
In response to the passing of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Androulakis praised Simitis as one of the greatest Greeks whose legacy shaped modern Greece. He highlighted Simitis’ achievements in infrastructure, the economy, welfare, institutions, and Cyprus’ EU accession despite the unresolved Cyprus issue.
The Ecumenical Patriarch also offered condolences for Simitis’ passing, recognizing his contributions as a statesman. He mentioned Simitis’ role in leading Greece into the Eurozone, supporting Turkey’s EU accession, and his overall impact on Greece’s development. The Patriarch fondly recalled their meeting at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the Feast of the Annunciation.