Top official criticizes attempts to use European Games in “smear campaign” against Azerbaijan
The Organizing Committee of the first European Games has carried out considerable work to ensure excellent organization of this important international sports event after the European Olympic Committees announced its decision.
Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov made the remark while criticizing attempts to use the inaugural European Games in “smear campaign” against Azerbaijan, AzerTac reports.
“The issues related the construction of new sports facilities,
repair of the existing ones, improvement of social and transport
infrastructure to world standards, accommodation of guests,
security and others are successfully addressed, and this work is
nearing completion. The European Olympic Committees has highly
praised the preparation work in its statements. All this gives
grounds to say with confidence that the first European Games to be
held in Azerbaijan will be remarkable for its grandiosity,” he
said.
“Unfortunately, some local groups and international circles that
are trying to discredit Azerbaijan’s achievements in economic,
social, political, humanitarian and other fields, don’t want to
miss this opportunity and attempt to make the 1st European Games
into the main topic of the “smear campaign” carried out against our
country. Amnesty International’s calling to boycott the 1st
European Games, dissemination of disinformation on the measures
taken in preparation for the Games, partial and biased articles
published in foreign media and other issues are an example of these
efforts," Hasanov said.
He further said it is not accidental that Radio Liberty and some
interested parties share the videos on social networks as if
Azerbaijan commits brutal acts against animals on the occasion of
the European Games.
"However, there is no evidence confirming that the video was shot
in Azerbaijan. This proves once again that those putting forward
such "facts" are trying to tarnish the image of Azerbaijan and
commit a provocation against a major international sporting event
on the eve of the European Games.”
“We faced such provocations in the past - on the eve of
Eurovision-2012 song contest. At that time, the international
community was convinced that all this is nothing more than an
insidious play of the forces intending to put pressure on
Azerbaijan and impose their will on its independent policy. We are
confident that the use of such primitive and feeble methods to
discredit Azerbaijan will produce no results and urge those forces
to abandon their crafty intentions,” Hasanov concluded.
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