OREANDA-NEWS. We express our deep sorrow over the passing of Georgios Hatzimichelakis, Ambassador of Greece to Tbilisi.

Georgios Hatzimichelakis was an excellent diplomat, distinguished for his profoundly democratic conscience, strong sense of duty and great patriotism. Throughout his life and diplomatic career he served Greece with abnegation, ethos, integrity and decency.

In 1974, serving in a company of commandoes in Cyprus, Georgios Hatzimichelakis was injured while defending heroically the airport of Nicosia from Turkish invaders. His heroic involvement was of critical importance as the contingent that defended the airport stood in the way of Attila, thus thwarting the taking-over of a site of strategic importance.

Ambassador Hatzimichelakis joined the Ministry in 1981 and represented Greece, among others, at the Embassies of Greece in Nicosia, Canberra and Cairo. He also was Consul General in Boston, was appointed Ambassador to Georgia (2008-2011) and Latvia (2012-2016) and, as of January 2016, he resumed the post of Ambassador of Greece to Georgia.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, the political and civil leadership of the Foreign Ministry as well as his colleagues offer their condolences to his loved ones.