Azerbaijan holds impressive first European Games closing ceremony - ambassador of Belarus

Azerbaijan has held a touching and very impressive closing ceremony of the first European Games, the ambassador of Belarus to Azerbaijan Nikolai Paskevich told Trend after the ceremony.

“We have witnessed a touching and very impressive closing ceremony of the first European Games,” the diplomat said. “Finally, Europe has its own sports games, and Azerbaijan organized them.”

“The closing ceremony of the European Games in Baku became a grand celebration of sport,” said Paskevich. “A colorful show and a great organization is one more proof of the dynamic development of Azerbaijan. The real sport is one of the factors of strengthening of ideals of friendship, good-neighborliness and mutual understanding in the world.”

“Therefore it is very symbolic that the first European Games have been entrusted to be held by Azerbaijan, the people of which carry these very high ideals in their soul,” he said.

The first European Games Baku 2015 have set the bar high for the hosts of the following European Games, according to the diplomat.

The high status of the sporting event is proved by the fact that high representatives of 50 European countries, including the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, arrived to the opening ceremony, he said.

The ambassador went on to add that the participation of Belarusian athletes in the European Games was successful. “This shows the high level of development of Belarusian sport and is the best proof of success of the Belarusian social-oriented policy,” said Paskevich.

The European Games kicked off in Baku June 12 and wrapped up on June 28. Baku 2015 First European Games hosted 20 sports – 16 Olympic and four non-Olympic sports.

More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe came to Baku to represent their nations over 17 days of competition. Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.

/By Trend/