Second European Games in Belarus

MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) - Representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations attended a briefing on the course of the preparations for the 2nd European Games, BelTA learned from the directorate of the games.

The briefing was held in the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee. Anatoly Kotov, Deputy CEO of the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) said that Belarus is grateful for the honor and the opportunity to host such a major event as the European Games which will be a big event in the sports and cultural life of the whole continent. He also added that in terms of scale the upcoming 2nd European Games might be compared to the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. “One of the main goals that we set for ourselves is to promote the ideals of peace, friendship, equality and fair play that are commonly known as the Olympic values,” Anatoly Kotov stressed.

The National Olympic Committees of 50 European countries, which are united under the aegis of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), have already confirmed their participation in the games. In this regard, the organizers of the first briefing focused on the issues related to the participation of foreign delegations in the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, the ticket program, accreditation, accommodation, protocol, visa free policy, and other related issues.

“Representatives of embassies were updated on all current changes in the competition program, accreditation of high-ranking foreign officials, key points of the delegations' stay, accreditation privileges for various client groups of the Games. They were also told about the upcoming law changes that envisage exemption from toll payment of foreign motor vehicles with a maximum laden weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes from 10 June to 10 July 2019,” the MEGOC said.

Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas emphasized big interest in the upcoming Games at this early stage of preparation. All those who are involved in the organization of the Games - from the MEGOC to the Ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - will be open to cooperation at all stages and ready to provide all the necessary information. MEGOC representatives will take into account every detail in their work so that participants and guests will not have doubts that the upcoming forum is going to be a memorable event,” he said.

Attending the briefing were representatives of the diplomatic missions of about 25 countries. After the briefing, the diplomats met the mascot of the 2^nd European Games, Lesik the Baby Fox, and visited a MEGOC photo exhibition about sports in Belarus and the achievements of Belarusian athletes.