VIENNA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer on Wednesday described himself as being"deeply affected and saddened" by the passing of former Israeli President and personal friend Shimon Peres.
In a press release, Fischer described Peres as a "great statesman and a really good and trusted friend for decades."
He also said Peres' contribution toward building Israel had been "enormous," and wished both the family of Peres and the wider Israeli populace sincere condolences.
Peres had made a final visit to Austria toward the end of his term in office in 2014, in part to visit his friend.
Fischer quoted some lines from a letter Peres sent him at the end of his own presidential term in July, in which he noted that their friendship was "of great importance" to him, that the two shared the same fundamental values.
