BRUSSELS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Monday he was saddened by the death of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin.

    "President Yeltsin will be remembered for his courage in charting a new, democratic course for his country. He was also at the forefront of the effort to overcome the legacy of the Cold Warby forging a new relationship between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance," said de Hoop Scheffer in a statement.

    "This historic effort to set aside the fears and stereotypes of the past in favor of cooperation in facing the challenges of the future, enshrined in the NATO-Russia Founding Act that bears President Yeltsin's signature, continues to this day."

    He extended his condolences on behalf of NATO, to Yeltsin's family, and to the Russian people.