Rob Sobhani says hosting of European Games proves wise foreign policy of President Aliyev
The hosting of the inaugural European Games in Baku is a
testament to the wise foreign policy of Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, who has steered the country in an independent path where
the interests of the people of Azerbaijan come first, Rob Sobhani,
CEO of the US Caspian Group Holdings company told Trend on May
6.
Hosting of the European Games is a historic moment in the life of
Azerbaijan, he said.
“It is indeed a proud moment for it solidifies the name of
Azerbaijan in global affairs and places Azerbaijan as a permanent
fixture of international events.”
Sobhani added that any country that hosts a major sporting event
like the European Games has to have the infrastructure for
that.
Thanks to President Aliyev’s emphasis on the non-oil sector as an
engine of the country’s economic development, Azerbaijan is capable
of hosting this prestigious event, he added.
“It is important to remember that the Games could have been hosted
in Paris, London, Berlin or Budapest, but it is being hosted in
Baku,” said Sobhani. “This is a victory for the people of
Azerbaijan.”
The results of the Games will benefit Azerbaijan both in terms of
short-term gains such as tourism and long-term gains such as a
permanent infrastructure to be used by the people of Azerbaijan,
according to the CEO of the US Caspian Group Holdings.
“And as the first country to host the First European Games,
Azerbaijan will go down in history books,” he concluded.
Azerbaijan's tourism potential is increasing as does the flow of
tourists into the country. As Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture and
Tourism Abulfas Garayev said at the Caspian Energy Forum – 2015,
the country aims to increase the flow of tourists by 30-40 percent
within several years. Garayev said Azerbaijan plans to be receiving
some 5 million of tourists annually by 2020.
Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and
innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take
place on June 12-28, 2015.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports
and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across
Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of
competition.
Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC)
in December 2012.
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