OREANDA-NEWS. Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu on the passing of former President of Israel Shimon Peres

The message reads, in part:

“An outstanding statesman and one of the patriarchs of Israeli, Middle Eastern and international politics has passed away.

I would like to pay tribute to Shimon Peres’s great contribution to the development of traditionally friendly and partnership-like relations between Russia and Israel. I will always remember my meetings with Shimon Peres, a true friend of our country.

We share the grief of the Israeli people. Mr Prime Minister, please pass my words of sympathy and support to Shimon Peres’s family and friends.”