“President Shimon Peres – a founding father of the State of Israel – was a wise politician deeply committed to his state and nation. He was a forward-looking unifying leader always close to his people. Until the very last day he never abandoned the duty to seek dialogue and peace between Israel and its neighbors, between Jews, Arabs and all the people in the region through political, public and educational action. For this, he holds global respect and a loving memory of all. I extend my heartfelt condolences and those of the Lithuanian people to the family and friends of Shimon Peres and to your country,” the president wrote in her message of condolences.
In Grybauskaite’s words, having served his nation for many years with strong commitment and responsibility, Peres will forever stay in the hearts of the people of Israel as a deeply respected and loved leader who contributed in a major way to building modern Israel.
Dalia Grybauskaitė has also warmly remembered her meetings and discussions with President Shimon Peres both in Israel and in Vilnius, very near to the place of his birth.
Peres passed away in early hours of Wednesday at the age of 93. He served as Israel’s president in 2007-2014. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1994 and was granted honorary citizenship of Vilnius in 2013.
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