Georgia’s PM saddened by death of Hans-Dietrich Genscher, German ex-foreign minister

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has expressed his sorrow over the death of former German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher.

Genscher, 89, died at his home in the town of Wachtberg-Pech, near Bonn, of heart failure on Thursday night.

In a special statement released on Friday Georgia’s Prime Minister called Genscher the "greatest politician of the modern time”.

"He was among the politicians who had devoted their work to the world peace,” Kvirikashvili said.

"The people of Georgia will always remain grateful for the support Hans-Dietrich Genscher has shown Georgia in the hardest years for us.”

"On behalf of the Georgian Government and myself, I offer my condolences to the government and people of Germany as they have lost a great politician.”

Genscher served as foreign minister and vice chancellor of Germany from 1974 to 1992 (except for a two-week break in 1982), making him the longest-serving holder of either post.

During the Cold War, Genscher's policy of detente towards the East and his early recognition of then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's desire for change was credited with paving the way for Germany's reunification.

He was also a strong advocate of European unity.

Announcing his retirement from Parliament in 1998, he said: "European unity is the answer to the mistakes of the Germans and of European history. It is the answer to a terrible world war. These reasons stand even today."