Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva attended the third sitting of the Coordination Committee of the Baku 2015 European Games on April 3.

The sitting was preceded by a meeting of Aliyeva, who is also Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Games, with President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey, AzerTag state news agency reported.

They discussed a wide range of issues, including bilateral cooperation and preparations for the Baku 2015 European Games.

Speaking to the Sitting of the Coordination Committee, Aliyeva praised cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Olympic Committees. "Our cooperation with the European Olympic Committees is built on strong foundations," she said.

Aliyeva said Azerbaijan had hosted a number of international events, noting the importance of the recommendations of the European Olympic Committees related to the organization of the inaugural European Games in the Azerbaijani capital.

"Ensuring excellent organization of the first European Games is our primary and common goal. Azerbaijan is determined to hold these Games in compliance with the Summer Olympic Games standards. Sport infrastructure of our country will allow us to excellently organize the Games," the First Lady said.

Aliyeva highlighted the preparations for the Games: "The preparations will end in time, which is evidenced by the speed of construction work at Water Sports Palace, National Gymnastics Arena, Baku Shooting Center, Baku Olympic Stadium and other facilities, and reconstruction of the existing sport infrastructure."

"The National Gymnastics Arena is almost ready. We plan to host European Gymnastics Championship there this June," Aliyev said.

The First Lady noted that the Azerbaijani government attaches special importance to preparations for the first European Games.

"The city residents and the entire sport community of the country are enthusiastically following the course of the preparatory work. I believe this support will help us. We will do our best to use the Baku 2015 European Games to set a benchmark," Aliyeva said.

Hickey, in turn, praised the preparations for the inaugural Baku European games led by Aliyeva.

He said a lot of work had been done since the second Sitting of the Coordination Committee.

Hickey said the Baku 2015 European Games were a qualifying event for the Summer Olympic Games that would be hosted by Brazil in 2016.

Chairman of the Coordination Committee, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos said Azerbaijan had made huge success in a short period of time in terms of the preparations for the first European Games.

Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov said Baku would organize several international tournaments before hosting the European Games, adding "this will be essential in terms of testing the infrastructure".

Chief Operating Officer of the Baku 2015 European Games Jim Scherr lauded the Azerbaijani government's assistance to ensuring perfect organization of the Baku 2015 Games.

Director of Sport of the Baku 2015 European Games Operation Committee Pierce O'Callaghan said inclusion of eight Olympic qualifying sports in the program of the Baku Games was what increased the event`s importance.

Following the Sitting of the Coordination Committee, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has received president of the European Olympic Committees Hickey.

Hickey noted that effective discussions had been carried out over preparatory work for the first European Games during the third Sitting of the Coordination Committee of the Baku 2015 European Games.

He also praised what had been done in Azerbaijan to ensure excellent preparations for the Games.

President Aliyev and Hickey also exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan's relevant agencies and the European Olympic Committees.