MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin says former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl played a key role forming his outlook on the world.
As an outstanding politician, Xi said, Kohl has made great contributions to German reunification and European integration, and his historic legacies will be remembered by all.
Kohl, who died on Friday at the age of 87, spearheaded the end of Germany's decades-long division into East and West.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, Xi voiced deep condolences over Kohl's death and honest sympathy for the former chancellor's family.
Kohl was a towering figure in European politics in the second half of the 20th century, serving as Germany's chancellor for a record 16 years from 1982 to 1998.
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Confined to a wheelchair after a 2008 accident, the 87-year-old leader died at his house in his hometown Ludwigshafen in Rhineland-Palatinate, according to Bild newspaper.
"Working closely with my very good friend to help achieve a peaceful end to the Cold War and the unification of Germany within North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will remain one of the great joys of my life", added the former United States president.
KAZINFORM The President of Kazakhstan has sent a telegram of condolences to Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the death of Helmut Kohl, Akorda press service reported.
Kohl persuaded Bush to accept a larger, reunified Germany, and convinced Gorbachev to withdraw troops from East Germany.
After Britain voted to quit the EU, Kohl gave a rare interview to Bild in 2016, urging the bloc's member states to not apply too much pressure on London.
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