“Don’t expect impressive results. We are not going to do either the Americans or the Germans any favors until we see serious steps to de-escalate from the Turks,” he told me. Theodore Pangalos outside the Intercontinental Hotel in New York on the way to the United Nations Headquarters. He didn’t finish his sentence because a photographer on the opposite sidewalk raised his camera to take a picture of the Greek foreign minister. Which infuriated Pagalos, who crossed the street and started arguing with him.

It was September 1997. A few hours later, in front of the cameras, Pangalos violently attacked the Turkish side. “We will never allow Türkiye to drag their bloodied boots over the thick carpets of Europe. Greece does not talk to rapists and murderers of children.” The statement sharply raised tensions in Greek-Turkish relations. But at the same time, it sent a clear signal to the US and Europe, who were pressuring Athens to hold a Greek-Turkish summit, that the Greek side was not ready to take steps towards rapprochement unless Ankara agreed in the most obvious way. , which Greek-Turkish differences at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Greece and Türkiye are on the brink of war Imma a year and a half ago, which was averted by the Pagaloo-Holbrook telephone agreement – “No ships, no troops, no flags” – which left a bitter taste for the Greeks, but prevented a war between the two countries with unknown consequences.

Some of the most brilliant pages of Greek diplomacy followed – during the premiership of Simitis – with Helsinki Agreement (December 1999) and the decision of the Council of E.E. For accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union without first solving the political problem on the island. played an important role in the conclusion of the agreement Theodore Pangalos And Yiannos Kranidiotiswho was no longer alive to see the fruits of his hard work – he died on September 14, 1999, along with his son and four other passengers in a Falcon plane crash.

Theodore Pangalos, who “passed away” yesterday at the age of 84, was larger than life. Intelligent, resourceful, with a defiant mockery of himself, he was a political intellectual. Cosmopolitan with incredible knowledge, charming, sullen, self-destructive and irritable, he lived and politicized on the fringes. From the first years in the KKE and in anti-dictatorial Paris, then in PASOK and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Educated and critical in his speeches, but also capable of spilling milk in an unseemly move – how when, at the height of his political career, which could bring him closer to the leadership of PASOK, he called their opponent in the municipal elections of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos, “Mr. Nothing”, called outrage of voters, which led to his defeat.

He had the audacity to call Germany an “economic giant with feet of clay” and a “political giant with the mind of a little child” for her stance on the breakup of Yugoslavia and the way she treated her based on her own exclusive interests, Europe. Harsh statements that provoked a violent reaction in Germany, which demanded and obtained redress, but tested over the years by Berlin’s attitude towards Russia.

He had fanatical friends—and enemies—in every walk of life. He enjoyed talking and telling jokes over endless dinners where he played himself.

The phrase “we ate together” after the bankruptcy of the country and the signing of the memorandum by G. Papandreou caused a storm among the left. But he thickened Greece’s post-political history through a clientelistic relationship of corruption between the parties that ruled the country and the citizens. With lesser but existing responsibilities also left-wing opposition parties that never ceased to demand higher wages and pensions, playing a major role in the country’s fiscal collapse.

Theodore Pangalos had fanatical friends – but also enemies – in all walks of life. Indeed, many times these two qualities alternated in relation to his comrades in his own party. He enjoyed talking and telling jokes over endless dinners in which he played himself and real or fictional stories from his life.

I was lucky – along with Vasilis Chiotis – to discuss with him every week for many years in an hour-long show in which he revealed his soul, openly criticizing everyone and especially SYRIZA and Mr. Tsipras. On air, he even called on the then finance minister to confiscate dozens of small apartments his aunt had left him as a legacy — but for which he did not have enough money to pay the ENFIA they owed.

I went to his apartment behind Kolonaki Square. It was difficult for him to walk, and he constantly carried an old wooden cane with him. However, he overcame himself when he bathed in Lake Vouliagmeni.

“Nothing Else Left”

The last time we saw each other was in 2019, when I asked him to write about the history of his relationship with his grandfather, the dictator Theodoros Pagalos (published in “K” 19.02.2019). In one of these meetings, having scolded me, he threw me advice and wishes. “Baby, be careful. Lefteris (my father and his friend for many years) also told you about this, but I emphasize this for you too. Life is one and only. Eat with a spoon and live as you wish. The day that passes never comes back. And in the end you will remember only those women who loved you and loved you. There is nothing left.”

Have a nice trip, Theodore.