Baku, October 21, AZERTAC

Belarus is ready to host the 2019 European Games, President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Acting President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Janez Kocijancic on 21 October, according to Belta.

He stressed that the EOC can always count on Belarus. “Belarus is not a superpower. But we pay a lot of attention to sport,” the Belarusian leader noted. “I want our European organization to be as good as the organizations on other continents and the International Olympic Committee. In this regard I am a nationalist and a patriot. Therefore, you can count on Belarus.” “Should the EOC wish to hold any event in Belarus, we are ready to support our organization at any moment and organize any events,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “We have made a historic decision, and will welcome European athletes for our Olympics in 2019,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The head of state remarked that he is aware of the details of Belarus' talks with the EOC. In this context, he suggested clarifying certain details. “For example, there is a need to determine the number and kinds of sports to be included in the program of the European Games in Belarus. I am in favor of inviting a maximum number of athletes to Belarus. It is a celebration for them. The more athletes arrive, the more supporters we will have in our European organization. A bigger number of sports in the program will promote the development of these sports,” the President said. He added that the holding of the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2019 is also on the agenda. “We will also look at this competition. Perhaps, we will be able, if there are no contradictions, to hold them in Belarus, and then we will host our European Games, if it suits you. We should explore these details,” the Belarusian leader added.