WITH A PROFESSIONAL IN COMMAND

Baku has gathered sports officials from the entire Old World. The Azerbaijan capital hosted the 43rd General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC). 

The country that restored its independence only 23 years ago stands out as a proactive EOC member, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony. 

He emphasized that political reforms and democratization carried out in this country have boosted its development. "Political reforms are among top priorities for Azerbaijan. Building strong democratic institutions is a condition of success for us as we have a powerful economy today. However, without a strong political system, our development could not have been as dynamic as we would like it to be. Freedom of religion has been secured in full. At present, our country is regarded as one of major centres of multiculturalism in the world," Aliyev said. 

The president also pointed out special attention given to the development of sports in this country and the establishment of large-scale sports infrastructure is proof of this.

Ilham Aliyev said that the successful performance of Azerbaijani athletes at Olympics and other international competitions has enabled this country to become more recognizable in the world. The head of state also expressed confidence that Azerbaijan would hold the First European Games at a high level. "We are hosting the World Chess Olympiad in 2016 and the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. This is also very symbolic. In the coming two years you will be watching the First European Games and then the Islamic Solidarity Games in the same country and in the same city. This reflects today's realities of Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. 

President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee expressed confidence that the First European Games to be held in Baku in 2015 would be a success. 

"Investments in sport are not confined to just building the infrastructure. Those investments naturally play an important role in developing education. The work you are doing and your contribution have a positive impact on the development of society in general and on further improvement of the education system, making it more efficient. It also helps athletes make success at internati-onal competitions, enhancing Azerbaijan's image in the world," said Bach.

Initiatives of Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, who heads the European Games organizing committee, will make the upcoming games more exciting and successful. 

European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey thanked Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva for providing good conditions for hosting the General Assembly. The EOC meeting, he emphasized, provided the opportunity to discuss both the closing phase of the preparations for the First European Games and preparations for the Summer Olympics to be held in Rio in 2016. 

Patrick Hickey presented President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva with EOC souvenirs. 

Then Hickey handed the EOC's award, the Order of Merit, to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for his significant services to developing world sport and commitment to Olympic ideals. 

Bach also presented Aliyev with a commemorative medal made by the IOC for heads of state. The Azerbaijani president has become one of the first heads of state to receive this commemorative. 

Taking part in the EOC General Assembly was also Secretary General Hrachya Rostomyan of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Armenia and Vaginak Galstyan, the NOC directorate head. The visit confirmed Armenia's decision to take part in the First European Games, which was announced by Hickey. 

"The Armenian NOC representatives are satisfied with their visit to Baku. During my visit to Armenia I spoke about the importance of participation of athletes from this country in the European Games in Baku. Now we can say with confidence that Armenia will participate in the European Games. I believe that Azerbaijan will provide equal conditions for all athletes," Hickey said. 

The EOC General Assembly highly appreciated the level of preparations for the First European Games. The meeting also discussed which of the 20 sports represented at the European Games would offer qualification opportunities for the 2016 Summer Games. They also discussed bids from six cities to host the 2nd European Games. The host for the Second Games to be held in 2019 will be identified next May. Until then, the candidates' bids will be scrutinized. 

Summing up the results of the meeting, Hickey said that Baku has performed preparatory work for the First European Games at a high level. And this is not only a matter of creating a sports infrastructure for future competitions but also society gaining experience and knowledge in this domain. He voiced satisfaction with the performance of the Games organizing committee. 

"Normally seven years is allowed to prepare for the games but the Baku 2015 organizing committee has done an extraordinary job just within two years. We couldn't have found a better partner than Baku for holding the first European Games," Hickey said. 

Agreements were also signed on broadcasting the Games in Albania, Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova and Slovakia.

AT FIRST HAND

In the coming two years you will be watching the First European Games and then the Islamic Solidarity Games in the same country and the same city. This reflects today's realities of Azerbaijan," Ilham Aliyev said. This reflects today's realities of Azerbaijan".

Ilham ALIYEV, the president of Azerbaijan