Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A 77th Annual Congress of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS) opened in Azerbaijan's capital on April 27.

Addressing the event, AIPS President Gianni Merlo provided an insight into the agenda of the congress, saying it would feature the presentation of inaugural European Games to be held in Baku in 2015.

AIPS Vice President Ioannis Daras, in turn, praised the activities of the organization.

The event then heard a number of reports from financial and other commissions, and featured the election of the Executive Committee members, during which President of Azerbaijan's Sport Journalists Association Eldar Ismayilov was elected a member of the Committee.

Later, a dinner reception was held in honor of participants of the 77th Congress of the AIPS.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Addressing the event, Ilham Aliyev congratulated members of the International Sport Press Association on its 90th anniversary. He said holding the 77th Congress of AIPS in Azerbaijan is of great importance, noting that it "will give us a chance to present the country abroad".

President Aliyev said Azerbaijan had made great achievements in 22 years of its independence, adding that "a lot has been done during this period in the development of sport and support of the Olympic movement".

"We held numerous international events in Azerbaijan, including European and world championships. Our sportsmen achieved good results on international arena," Aliyev said.

"Our first participation at the Summer Olympic Games was in 1996, when we had only one medal. At the last Olympics in London we got already ten medals, two of them were gold. And we were number 30 among 200 nations. This is the result of development of sports and great attitude of the state and public institutions to development of sports."

Saying large investment was made to develop the sports infrastructure, President Aliyev stressed that more than 40 Olympic centers were built all around the country.

The head of state noted Azerbaijan would host the first European Games next year.

"This is a great responsibility, a big challenge. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to present our country. We plan to organize these Games at the level of Summer Olympic Games. I'd like to use this opportunity to invite all of you to be among our guests next year at the Baku Olympic Stadium at the opening ceremony. In 2016, we will host the world chess Olympiad, and in 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. And this is also an indicator of our geographical location, our culture, and modern Azerbaijan. Within two years we will have European Games and Islamic Games. Azerbaijan is a Muslim country, but a country with strong connections to Europe. These connections go back to the 19th century. Now these ties are, of course, much stronger, because we base this relationship on partnership grounds," Ilham Aliyev said.

Noting that traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan are very strong, the head of state said multiculturalism is country's state policy, adding that the country highly value the religious and ethnic tolerance.

Gianni Merlo, in turn, said it was a great success for AIPS to celebrate its 90th anniversary and hold its 77th congress in Azerbaijan. Saying he visited Baku four years ago, Gianni Merlo praised development taking place in the city. He also said AIPS is doing a lot to develop sport, and also implementing important social projects.

Merlo then expressed confidence that the first European Games would be organized at the top level.

After that Gianni Merlo presented President Aliyev with a keepsake on behalf of the International Sport Press Association, and a dinner reception was held in honor of participants of the 77th Congress of the AIPS.