I am saddened by the news of the death of Hans Koschnick.

We have lost a great North German Social Democrat today.

During the more than 18 years he was in office, Hans Koschnick shaped the fortunes of his hometown of Bremen like few others. As President of the Bremen Senate, he was active far beyond the boundaries of his beloved native city.

His commitment to peace, stability and a more just world remains unforgotten. As EU Administrator for Mostar and subsequently in his performance of important tasks for the Federal Government, he worked effectively to foster peace, understanding and reconciliation in the Balkans in difficult and politically very tense times during the 1990s.