Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Less than a month remains before the start of the magnificent Baku 2015 European Games jamborees in Azerbaijan.

Being well aware of the responsibility of hosting the first ever pan-European sports event, the Azerbaijani authorities have spared no efforts in arranging the Games at the highest level possible.

Security issues before and during the Games are of great importance in terms of holding the European Games in a safe and secure atmosphere. The responsible ministries in Azerbaijan have been instructed to take every possible security measure to ensure the full safety of both sportsmen and visitors.

Some 17 sports centers will host events throughout the Games - to be held in Baku and Mingachevir cities from June 12 to 28. The Olympic stadium, the National Gymnastics Arena, the Baku Aquatics center, the Heydar Aliyev Arena, the Baku Shooting Center and the Crystal Hall are among those venues set to hold events.

The Emergency Situations Ministry switched to an intensified and flexible working schedule in regard to the protection of sports facilities within the framework of the European Games, said Etibar Mirzayev, deputy emergency situations minister.

"The Athletes Village and the sports venues in Mingachevir city have previously been under close guard," he said.

The ministry is also monitoring all the hotels which will receive visitors of the European Games. Technical staffs at hotels are involved in training, Mirzayev noted.

The Interior Ministry also announced its decision to take the areas where the Games will be held under full control.

Oruj Zalov, the deputy interior minister, said the main goal of the ministry is "to immediately prevent any emergency case that could happen during the European Games".

All employees of the interior ministry will stand for thorough inspection and checking of all the sports venues during the European Games, said Zalov, adding that the employees from other law enforcement bodies and the transport ministry, as well as servicemen from interior troops will help police ensure comprehensive safety and security throughout the Games.

"Sportsmen, spectators and technical staffs will undergo special checking before entering any of the sports facilities," he noted.

As for the European Games torch traveling through Azerbaijan's regions, General-Lieutenant Zalov said that no any incident has been faced in the period of the tour so far.

"The European Games torch has already passed through 23 regions. Residents of each region welcomed it with great joy. Thousands of people gather to celebrate this festival. No any unfortunate event has happened in any region," he concluded.

Intensification of security measures due to the European Games can also be observed in parking lots across Baku. Automobiles entering the two-storey underground parking site at the Freedom Square are now thoroughly checked by a special security guard. The preemptive move aims mainly to protect the public and reassure all that all will be well during the European Games.

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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