Press releases

MINSK, 2 December (BelTA) – Prince Albert II of Monaco is interested in cooperation with Belarus in sports, BelTA learned from Nikolai Ivanchenko, Chairman of the Belarusian Modern Pentathlon Federation, Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Commission for Ecology, Environmental Management and the Chernobyl disaster of the House of Representatives. Nikolai Ivanchenko attended the eighth Peace and Sport International Forum held in the Principality of Monaco.

The Belarusian MP visited Monaco at the invitation of Joel Bouzou, the founder of Peace and Sport, modern pentathlon world champion, Olympic Games medalist who currently holds the post of Vice President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM).

The forum was held under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco who participated in five Olympic Games as a member of the national bobsleigh team. Besides, he has a black-belt in judo and is a member of the International Olympic Committee. “Prince Albert II showed interest in our proposal to sign agreements between the National Olympic Committees and the Modern Pentathlon Federations of our countries. The contacts that we have established with Monaco are very important as the International Modern Pentathlon Union is headquartered there,” the MP explained.

“The agreements which Belarus plans to sign with the Principality of Monaco provide for the use of our sports facilities in full. I mean high-level competitions. And then through sport we can establish contacts in other areas: culture, economy. Let's not forget that the Principality of Monaco is one of the world's major financial centers. The Principality of Monaco regularly hosts major cultural and business forums. We must be their regular participants. We can do it,” added Nikolai Ivanchenko.

In June 2015 Belarus played host to the World Pentathlon Cup and a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Modern Pentathlon Union. That gave a start to the relations with the Principality of Monaco.

Nikolai Ivanchenko also added that the Principality of Monaco has good experience in implementing environmental projects that Belarus can adopt.