US Federal Reserve (Fed) chairman Alan Greenspan on Monday lauded the contribution of the European Central Bank's first president, Wim Duisenberg, who died on Sunday.

"Wim Duisenberg earned respect and admiration worldwide for his successful launching of the euro and his effective leadership as the first president of the European Central Bank," Greenspan said in a statement.

"On a personal level, I valued his friendship and I will miss him," he said.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Rodrigo de Rato also mourned the passing of his "long-time colleague and friend".

"He had a unique and effective style -- a mix of consideration, courtesy and candor," Rato said in a statement.

"He was a dedicated European, and his contributions to European integration were many. He was also a confirmed internationalist and long-time and strong supporter of the IMF," he said.

The 70-year-old Duisenberg served as the first president of the European Central Bank between 1998 and 2003. He was found lifeless in the pool at his villa in southeast France on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua