Baku 2015 promotion held in Athens
By Nigar Orujova
Athens hosted a ceremony promoting the first European Games to be held in Azerbaijan in 2015.
The ceremony held with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at Acropolis Museum in Athens was attended by Azerbaijan's First Lady and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.
The event was also attended by the Greece's speaker of the parliament, deputy prime minister, the minister of administrative reforms, MPs, representatives of the sports society and Azerbaijan's Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Greece Rahman Mustafayev.
The ceremony was opened with screening of a film about the first European Games, the idea of holding the event and works carried out so far.
Addressing the ceremony, Mehriban Aliyeva highlighted the developing relations between two countries, and informed about the preparatory work for Baku 2015 Games.
"We are proud of the fact that Azerbaijan has grabbed a historic opportunity to organize these games. At these games, which will last for 17 days, more than 6,000 athletes will compete in 20 sports. Azerbaijani people welcomed the decision of the European Olympic Committee warmly. I want to express gratitude for this historic decision of the European Olympic Committee, which is presented today by President of Greece Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Coordination Commission "Baku-2015" Spyros Kapralos," the first lady said.
Aliyeva emphasized that now Azerbaijan is well known as a sport country.
"After the restoration of our independence, the development of sport has become one of the priorities in our state policy. Our athletes have participated in the Olympic Games since 1996, and we are proud of the successes we have achieved in a short time. At the last Olympic Games, our athletes won 10 medals and were among the top 30 countries in the overall ranking on the number of medals," she said.
"Over the past ten years, more than 40 modern Olympic sports complexes have been built in our country. These have opened up new horizons and opportunities for our young people. Many of them have chosen sport as a professional career. At the recent China Youth Olympic Games, our athletes won 12 medals, including five gold, and our country was ranked 10th among all the participants and the 6th among the European countries," she stressed.
Aliyeva also noted that Azerbaijan's rich experience in holding many European and World Championships have been highly appreciated by the participants and officials.
All these achievements of Azerbaijani sportsmen, the country's modern infrastructure and its strong government support for the development of sport, as well as the perfect economic growth of Azerbaijan were among the main factors paving the way for the decision of the European Olympic Committee, she said.
"We have welcomed this decision not only with joy, but also with responsibility. The inaugural Games to set the games' standards would be held in future. Azerbaijan has set a goal to hold the first European game at the level of the Summer Olympic Games. As the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the first European Games Baku-2015, I can assure you that we will do our best to hold the game at the highest possible level and to create the necessary conditions for the athletes, officials, as well as for visitors and local citizens," she added.
"Despite the fact that we were provided with two and a half years to prepare for these games, we are confident that all the preparatory works will be completed on time. We are satisfied with our fruitful and active cooperation with the European Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Federation. I truly believe that the upcoming games in Baku will maintain values of the Olympic Games such as fairness, friendship and solidarity," she said.
In conclusion, Aliyeva invited all the participants to take part in these historic games and discover Azerbaijan, an ancient country with a rich culture and history, located at the crossroads of East and West, a country which is very well-known for its diversity, tolerance and friendliness.
In turn, Greece Minister of Administrative Reforms, Kiriakos Mitsotakis talked about his country's relations with Azerbaijan and called for further development of bilateral relations.
He expressed confidence that the first European Games will be held successfully, and said Greece will play its role in holding the games.
Greece's Deputy Minister of Culture Angela Gerekoi talked about the significance of the European Games and said: "This will be a significant event in the whole continent's life".
Chairperson of the Greek National Olympic Committee Spirios Kapralos said preparation for these Games, which will take place for the first time in the European history, is continuing at the highest level.
Saying that the Organizing Committee led by Mehriban Aliyeva is working hard and President Ilham Aliyev provides every necessary support, Spirios Kapralos noted that like other European countries, Greece is waiting anxiously for these games.
After the speech by Greek Olympic Champion for Canoe sport Voula Kozumbali, Azerbaijani masters of art went on stage. A trio led by jazzman Elchin Shirinov and balaban player Shirzad Fataliyev gave a concert program with Azerbaijani national music.