Dutch PM saddened by fmr. Israeli president's death: Peres made a deep impression
Prime Minister Mark Rutte is "struck" by the death of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, he writes on Facebook. Peres passed away at the age of 93 after two weeks in hospital due to a stroke.
"I am struck by the death of Shimon Peres. His long and eventful life parallels the equally tumultuous history of the state of Israel." Rutte writes, adding that he was lucky enough to meet Perez a few times.
"He made a deep impression on my by his deep rooted ideals and fighting spirit which he combined with wisdom and devotion to his country and the peace process in the Middle East", the Prime Rutte continues. "Unforgettable is the hopeful moment in 1994, when he along with Yitzhak Rabin and the Palestinian leader Arafat won the Nobel Peace Prize. Israel lost a great statesman who will be remembered with great respect world wide."
Rutte wrote this statement on Facebook from South Korea, where he is currently on a trade mission with State Secretary Martijn van Dam of Economic Affairs as well as representatives of numerous businesses.
The last time Rutte met with Peres was on an economic conference in Tel Aviv in 2013. Peres was still president at the time.