Costas Simitis Biography and Timeline

Turin European Council

Represents Greece as the intergovernmental conference opens negotiations that later produce the Amsterdam Treaty.

Florence European Council

Represents Greece as leaders review progress in institutional reform and enlargement.

Amsterdam European Council

Represents Greece as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Greek Drachma Enters ERM

Heads the government when the drachma enters the European Monetary System exchange-rate mechanism.

Treaty of Amsterdam Enters into Force

Amsterdam's institutional reforms become legally effective while Simitis leads the Greek government.

Helsinki European Council

Represents Greece as leaders take major enlargement decisions and recognise Turkey as a candidate country.

Greek Euro Application

Leads Greece as it requests removal of its monetary-union derogation and seeks entry into the euro area.

Lisbon European Council

Represents Greece as leaders launch the Lisbon strategy for employment, innovation and economic reform.

Greece Approved for Euro

Represents Greece as the Council confirms that the country meets the conditions to adopt the euro.

Nice European Council

Represents Greece as leaders negotiate institutional changes intended to prepare the Union for enlargement.

Greece Adopts Euro

Greece enters the euro area under Simitis, becoming its twelfth participating state.

Stockholm European Council

Represents Greece as leaders review economic reform, employment and enlargement.

Laeken European Council

Represents Greece as leaders launch the Convention on the Future of Europe.

Euro Cash Introduction

Heads the Greek government when euro banknotes and coins replace the drachma in everyday use.

Copenhagen Enlargement Agreement

Supports completion of accession negotiations with ten countries scheduled to join the Union in 2004.

Fourth Greek EU Presidency

Begins Greece's fourth rotating Council Presidency with enlargement and Balkan integration among its priorities.

Athens Informal European Council

Hosts an informal European Council during the Greek Presidency as leaders discuss the future of Europe.

Treaty of Accession

Simitis hosts the Athens ceremony as Greece holds the Council Presidency during the historic enlargement agreement.

Role range: 2003-2004 – 1996-2004

Thessaloniki European Council

Hosts the European Council that strengthens the Union's commitment to the Western Balkans.