An official statement issued by the office of the Greek President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias, has denied speculation of a possible early departure from the Presidency.
According to the statement, “The President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias will complete his term, finishing in March 2015.”
Papoulias has been the President of the Hellenic Republic since 2005. He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1996.
In the 1980s, Papoulias played an important role in trying to reach a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1983 he facilitated the safe departure of trapped Palestinian militants including Yassir Arafat, from Lebanon on board Greek vessels. He established diplomatic relations within the Arab world and normalized those between Greece and Egypt, as well as establishing tripartite cooperation between Greece, Iran and Armenia.
Papoulias was very interested in the Balkan states and their relationship with Greece. He helped to bring a resolution to the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and also facilitated the relationship between Greece and its neighbors, Bulgaria and Albania.
As Foreign Minister he was always supportive of peace and disarmament. During the Conference for the Abolition of Chemical Weapons, he proposed the creation of a nuclear-free zone in the Balkans and promoted the idea of making the Mediterranean, a sea of peace and cooperation.
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