"Everybody in Europe has been saddened by the news of the death of the first President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus," reads the statement issued by Josipovic's office.

Praising Havel for his creativity, altruism and love for freedom to the benefit of his Czech Republic and of Slovakia, President Josipovic said that the echoes of Havel's freedom-loving messages and work "spread like a tsunami through the then Communist Europe".

Josipovic also described Havel as a great and persistent proponent of the unification of Europe.

Havel's work will be cherished by Europeans so that they can be reminded of the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, Josipovic said, among other things.