Moscow - Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev congratulated US President Barack Obama on winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Gorbachev, himself a Nobel laureate in 1990 for his efforts to over come the Cold War between east and west, sent a telegram to Obama saying "you are a worthy addition to our family of Nobel prize winners," the Interfax agency reported.

The 78-year-old former Kremlin leader said that with his initiatives, Obama had considerably improved the diplomatic atmosphere around the world.

"Your visions are close to me," Gorbachev said, praising the Nobel Committee for having made the "right decision." (dpa)