Ambassador (retired), Ioannis Gennimatas has died, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, expressing deep sorrow for his loss.

Ioannis Gennimatas entered the diplomatic service in 1964. He served in the Greek Embassies in Cairo and Prague, as well as in Greece’s permanent delegation to NATO as deputy permanent representative.

He served as Ambassador of Greece in Vienna and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), Consul General of Greece in Montreal, and Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In addition, he was director of the office of the first Greek Commissioner to the then European Economic Community (EEC).

In the Central Service, he was, among other things, head of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office and head of the General Directorate for Community Affairs and European Integration.

“He served his country with professionalism, honesty, and loyalty to duty. He was distinguished for his generosity of spirit and dignity. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the entire political and service leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs express sincere condolences to his family and relatives,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.