Agenda
President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Baku are fully prepared to conduct the first European Games
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has Azerbaijan and Baku are fully prepared to conduct the first European Games as he addressed a ceremony to light the flame of the Games.
“At the end of 2012, the European Olympic Committee made the decision to conduct the first European Games in Azerbaijan. It was a historic decision because, in contrast to other continental games, European Games have never been conducted before. It was a manifestation of great confidence shown by the European Olympic family in Azerbaijan. On behalf of the Azerbaijani people I want to express my gratitude to the European Olympic Committee and personally to its president Mr. Patrick Hickey for this decision.”
“The head of state said: This decision made us very happy. It delighted the people of Azerbaijan. It is a great honor and a great responsibility for us. We had little time, so we set to work immediately and established the Organizing Committee. Over this time the Organizing Committee has worked very hard and with great success. Today, Azerbaijan and Baku are fully prepared to conduct these Games. I want to express my gratitude to the Organizing Committee for this wonderful work. At the same time, I want to thank the International Operations Committee, which consists of international and local experts. Their work is also worthy of commendation. Of course, we have felt the support of the European Olympic Committee throughout this period, and we feel it today. Thus, all issues related to preparations for the Games have been resolved.”