Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he expects the government to ensure high-level organization of the inaugural European Games as he presided over Saturday's first sitting of the Organizing Committee of the tournament, which will take place in Baku in 2015.

The president hailed the decision of the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees to organize the first European Games in the Azerbaijani capital as a remarkable and historical event, saying Azerbaijan's strong international image played a crucial role in the adoption of this decision.

According to the president, the Organizing Committee of the event was set up on January 17.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan, which is a member of the UN Security Council, has achieved rapid economic development in the past eight years and leading international rating agencies increased the country`s credit rating last year. The World Economic Forum ranked Azerbaijan first among CIS countries and 46th in the world in terms of economic development.

President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan enjoyed a good image among the world's political and economic elite.

Aliyev said the creation of extensive sports infrastructure in Azerbaijan, the work done to develop Baku and the country`s hosting major international events were the factors underlying the decision of the European Olympic Committees.

"And most importantly, the people of Azerbaijan supported the idea of holding the Games in Baku," he said.

The president said further, "Azerbaijan has already won fame as a sports country in the world, and the recent London Olympic Games were yet another evidence of this."

Aliyev said he believed relevant authorities would do their best to ensure excellent organization of the Games.

The president expressed confidence that chaired by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, the Organizing Committee would justify hopes of the European Olympic Committees.

The first lady said the decision to hold the first European Games in Baku indicated the international community's confidence in Azerbaijan.

"Apart from this, a large number of high-profile international events hosted by Azerbaijan, as well as the achievements of our athletes, are among the key factors which conditioned the decision of the European Olympic Committees," Aliyeva said.

Speaking of the preparations for the tournament, she said, "The European Games will take place in June-July of 2015. The event will bring together 5,000 athletes, and 1,000 official country delegates. Some 2,000 foreign media representatives will cover the Games."

Aliyeva said the European Games will feature 12 out of 28 Olympic sports and two non-Olympic sports.

According to Aliyeva, the venues for the Games have already been defined. They include the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Concert Complex, Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku Crystal Hall, Palace of Hand Games, Serhedchi Sport Complex, and Baku Expo Center.

Aliyeva said further, "By 2015 we plan to complete the construction of the 65,000-seat Olympic Stadium, and Gymnastics and Water Sports Complex. The grand opening and closing ceremonies of the European Games will take place at the Olympic Stadium."

She noted that a contest has already been announced to define the logo, motto and anthem of the Games.

"Medals are being made by the National Olympic Committee. We are working with respective authorities and companies on the issues of the accommodation of athletes, organization of working conditions for journalists, creation of the Games` website, publication of informative material, installation of banners and posters, as well as settlement of copyright issues," the first lady said.

Other speakers, including Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov, Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade and Olympic wrestling champion Namig Abdullayev highlighted the issues included in the plan of action ahead of the European Games.

According to Minister Rahimov, potential strength of Azerbaijani youth is tremendous and creating conditions for the development of sports, promoting sports and making physical education a part of people's everyday life will ensure physical and spiritual health of the nation. This is confirmed by the improving results of Azerbaijani sportsmen at the Olympic Games, he said.

"At the same time, the number and quality of competitions held in Azerbaijan increase year on year," Rahimov said. "Over the last ten years about 300 sports events of international importance have been organized and held at a high level in Azerbaijan. Holding these events, including world and European championships in many sports in Baku, is becoming a tradition, which fostered confidence in the Olympic family that the competitions in our country are held at a high level."

Rahimov said it is necessary to address a number of tasks related to the organizational process for holding the first European Games in Baku.

"After relevant agreements are signed with the European sports federations in the second half of March, it will be necessary to build a number of sports facilities in line with international standards, including a stand for shooting, a temporary water polo arena, a temporary beach volleyball pitch and so on," he said.

Rahimov said holding the Games will set enormous tasks for the country, one of which is high-level participation in this sporting event.

According to Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov, the Transport Ministry is discussing specific proposals and a plan of comprehensive measures is being developed.

"According to preliminary information, Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku railway station and the structure of road transport are intended to be the main hubs at this event, which will be joined by 49 countries. It is planned that the arrival and departure of the majority of guests will be carried out by Heydar Aliyev International Airport," Mammadov said.

The service for transporting official delegations, delegation members, athletes as well as tourists to Olympic stadiums will be available during the Games.

Mammadov said a plan of measures for 2013-2014 is being developed to arrange transportation services and resolve the transport-related problems in Baku, and it will be submitted to the Organizing Committee by late February.

According to National Olympic Committee vice president Chingiz Huseynzadeh, the European Games should not emulate the Olympic Games and should have their own specificity.