Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a statement of condolences for the passing of former Greek PM Kostas Simitis.
“I am very saddened to hear the news of the death of Kostas Simitis. We worked closely together when we were in power. I found him always and in every situation to be kind, thoughtful and intelligent, with a strong commitment to the interests of Greece, but also with a deep devotion to the well-being of Europe and its peoples,” he stated.
“Although he came from the traditional Left of politics, he fully recognized the need for modernization, understanding that the values of democratic socialism had to be implemented differently for the 21st century.”
“I enjoyed his company and greatly respected him as a person and as a leader. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and country.”
Of the topics Blair and Simitis discussed was the parthenon marbles.
In letters between the two declassified in 2023, it was revealed that Greece then proposed a “long-term loan” of the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens in exchange for rotating exhibitions of Greek treasures. The proposal, outlined in a letter from Simitis to Blair on October 21, 2002, aimed to address Greece’s longstanding campaign for the return of the 5th-century sculptures held by the British Museum.
Simitis personally raised the issue during a visit to London on October 27, 2002, gifting Blair a biography of Lord Byron, which included references to the Sculptures. Blair later responded, deferring the decision to the British Museum and rejecting any direct political involvement. Simitis replied, reiterating the importance of a “political gesture.”
The matter gained media attention in 2003 when a Greek television clip showed Simitis appealing to Blair at a European Union summit in Brussels, citing upcoming Greek elections. This led to backlash from opposition parties and the Greek press, accusing Simitis of politicizing a national cultural issue for electoral gain.
