Mikhail Gorbachev’s condolences over the death of Shimon Peres

It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the death of my friend Shimon Peres. He was one of theworld's elder statesmen, but his boundless energy, ideas, and innovative approaches to solvecomplex international problems could challenge much younger politicians. He tried to use hisexperience and political wisdom in the search for ways out of the impasse into which world politicssometimes wandered.

Just a year ago, we met with him in Moscow. He looked healthy, and as always energetic andcheerful. I even asked him to share with me his recipe for youth.We discussed many things, but particularly the question of why the world has failed to take theopportunities opened by the end of the Cold War, how to connect morality with politics. We talked alot about the search for new, innovative approaches to global and regional problems, and weplanned to revisit these and other issues alongside colleagues during one of the forthcominginternational conferences. Unfortunately, these plans will not unfold.

I'm sure the name of Shimon Peres will forever remain in the history of world politics. It will certainlylive on in the hearts of his friends and colleagues, as well as the peoples of the Middle East andaround the world.

Please convey my sincere condolences to all the family and friends of Shimon Peres, and to the
people of Israel.

Mikhail Gorbachev

President,
International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies

Founding President and Chairman,
Green Cross International

September 28, 2016