Papandreou explains absence from Simitis funeral
Pallbearers carry the coffin of former prime minister Costas Simitis during his state funeral in Athens' central cathedral, Thursday. [Petros Giannakouris/AP]
Former PASOK leader and ex-prime minister George Papandreou has said that he was unable to attend the state funeral of his predecessor Costas Simitis as he was on a trip to China.
"Unfortunately, my obligations in China, where I am, did not allow me to return to Greece in time to participate in the final farewell," Papandreou said in a Facebook post.
"We will always remember you with respect and appreciation," Papandreou said of Simitis.
In addition to Papandreou, former premiers Kostas Karamanlis, Antonis Samaras and Alexis Tsipras were also absent from the funeral of the former prime minister.
- Log in to post comments