Former Greek Prime MinisterFormer Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis Passes Away at 88 has passed away at the age of 88, according to official sources. The Greek government has declared a four-day national mourning period.

Simitis led the government from 1996 to 2004 and left a significant mark on modernizing Greece’s economy. His achievements included Greece’s entry into the Eurozone in 2001, as well as his role in Cyprus’s accession to the European Union and Athens hosting the 2004 Olympics.

In turn, current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Simitis as a “noble political opponent” who left a lasting impact on the country’s development.