OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Secretary General mourn the death of Shimon Peres

BERLIN / VIENNA, 28 September 2016 – Following the news on the passing of former President and Prime Minster of Israel Shimon Peres, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today expressed their deep sadness and honoured his life’s work.

“The world has lost a great statesman, Israel has lost one of its founding fathers, and Germany has lost a highly-esteemed friend and partner. What he achieved for Israel – the land of the survivors, which he helped to build and for many decades shaped through his words and deeds – can scarcely be measured,” said Steinmeier.

“With a strong conviction that the course of history can be altered, Shimon Peres fought to overcome confrontation and enmity. He laid the foundation for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, and for a peaceful, shared future of Israel and its neighbours – and he never stopped believing in this goal.”

“We mourn the loss of a man who spoke with courage and wisdom, who constantly motivated us. We shall miss him,” said Steinmeier.

“Shimon Peres was a friend of the OSCE, a man of peace, supporter of dialogue and co-operation,” said Zannier. “His vision for the future was reconciliation and his commitment to peace has been an inspiration to the OSCE and many around the world.” 

In 2014, the OSCE honoured Peres with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his work to promote peace through reconciliation and co-operation between peoples.

Israel is an OSCE Partner for Co-operation.