Petros Molyviatis, a veteran diplomat and longtime aide to former Prime Minister and President Konstantinos Karamanlis, died Sunday at age 97.
Mr. Molyviatis passed away at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens, where he had been admitted the previous day, according to government officials.
A prominent figure in Greek politics and diplomacy, Mr. Molyviatis served three terms as foreign minister (2004–2006, 2012, and 2015).
He also held key roles in the country’s post-junta political era, including director of the Prime Minister’s Office from 1974 to 1980, secretary-general of the Presidency during two separate periods (1980–1985 and 1990–1995), and member of parliament with New Democracy from 1996 to 2004.
Born on June 12, 1928, on the island of Chios, Mr. Molyviatis studied law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
His mother, Agapi, was the sister of renowned author Elias Venezis. He joined the Greek diplomatic corps, serving at the country’s permanent missions to the United Nations and NATO, and at embassies in Moscow, Ankara, and Pretoria.
As foreign minister in the first administration of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Mr. Molyviatis was central to diplomatic initiatives, including a 2005 proposal — co-signed with Mr. Karamanlis — aimed at resolving the long-standing name dispute with North Macedonia. The proposal suggested a dual-name compromise to satisfy both domestic and international concerns.
Mr. Molyviatis returned to the foreign ministry in 2012 and again in 2015, each time serving in caretaker governments ahead of national elections.
He also chaired the Konstantinos G. Karamanlis Foundation, continuing his connection to the political legacy of his longtime mentor.
Mr. Molyviatis is survived by his wife, Niovi Christaki, their two children, and several grandchildren. His daughter, Lora, was married to Stelios Panagopoulos, a businessman, former National Bank of Greece governor, and Pasok member of the European Parliament.
Funeral arrangements were pending as of Monday.