The 43rd General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees has started in Baku.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva attended the official opening of the two-day event.

The General Assembly is attended by delegates from European national Olympic committees and senior managers of international sports organizations.

The General Assembly will hear reports on a number of topics, including “Olympic Games”, “Marketing and Communication”, “Sport for All, “Olympic Culture and Legacy”, “Medicine and Antidoping”, and “Gender Equality”. It will also provide an insight into the first European Games and hear a report of Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee.

The agenda of the General Assembly also includes reports on the progress of preparations for 2016 Summer Olympic Games, 2018 Winter Olympic Games and the European Youth Olympic Festival.

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and president of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey welcomed President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.

The head of state and his wife met with the senior managers of the European Olympic Committees.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the official opening ceremony.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev:

- President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Thomas Bach,

Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Jacques Rogge,

President of the European Olympic Committees Mr. Patrick Hickey,

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Firs off all I would like to greet you all in Azerbaijan. We are greatly honored to host the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees.

Azerbaijan is remarkable for its history, traditions and culture. I`m sure that our guests – I know that most of them are visiting our country for the first time – will have an opportunity to better know Azerbaijan, visit our historical places. By the way some of them are preserved by UNESCO and are part of the world cultural heritage.

However Azerbaijan is young as an independent state. Our independence is just 23 years old. Of course, in the first years of independence our main priority was to build an independent state, strengthen our statehood, independence and establish political institutions.

The decision to become a member of the European Olympic Committees was welcomed very positively by the Committee and demonstrated our priorities. Becoming a member of the European Olympic family speeded up Azerbaijan`s integration into European institutions. Our political system is a model of the European political system. When we were restoring our independence we did not have a political system at all. In order to make success, take advantage of an opportunity of independence, we had to build an independent state, create political institutions, and build powerful economy.

From this point of view being part of the European Olympic family also helped us actively integrate into the European institutions. By the way, Azerbaijan`s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe ended a week ago. Our chairmanship was very successful. Of course, gaining membership of the Council of Europe in 2001 allowed us to continue reforms and encourage European values in our country. Political reforms is one of the key priorities for Azerbaijan. Building strong democratic institutions is a guarantee of success for us. We have powerful economy. But without a strong political system we would not have had our development as rapid as we want to see.

In short, encouragement of democracy and fundamental freedoms is a priority for us. All fundamental freedoms are provided in Azerbaijan. There is the freedom of press, there is a free Internet. More than 70 percent of our citizens are active Internet users. The freedom of assembly, association is fully provided. There are more than 500 print media in Azerbaijan. The freedom of religion is fully provided. Our country is now considered one of the world`s multiculturalism centers. The holding of numerous international events and discussion of this important topic is a contribution to common cooperation and inter-faith dialogue.

At the same time we are tirelessly working to build self-sufficient economy. Therefore economic reforms are on our agenda. In the last 10 years Azerbaijan has been the fastest growing economy in the world. Our gross domestic product grew more than three times. Our budget revenues increased more than 20 times. We managed to reduce poverty from 49 percent to five percent. Unemployment is below five percent. Our financial situation is very stable. Foreign debt makes only eight percent of the gross domestic product. Our economic reforms are also appreciated by international financial institutions. By the way Davos World Economic Forum ranked Azerbaijan 38th in terms of global competitiveness. Therefore reforms were, of course, the driving force of our economic development.

At the same time Azerbaijan is rich in natural resources. Effective use of natural resources, transformation of national resources into human capital became a priority for us. Investment in the future, education, settlement of social problems and creation of infrastructure allowed us to diversify our economy.

So Azerbaijan is a very important partner for Europe in terms of energy security. The documents that we signed with the European Union clearly demonstrate that Azerbaijan encourages the Southern Gas Corridor, is its supplier and initiator of its construction. In fact, we initiated the construction of the Southern gas corridor. The groundbreaking ceremony was held two months ago, on September 20 in Baku with participation of my European counterparts.

In short, energy security and diversification, of course, will play a key role in our future relations with European institutions. We consider that our relations with the European Union are based on shared values, mutual respect, and are predictable and very strong. Therefore I think that these relations can play an important role in dialogue of civilizations because this comes from our geographical position, history and legacy. From a geographical point of view Azerbaijan is located between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan is playing an important role in dialogue of civilizations in terms of culture, multi-cultural and multi-confessional society.

We are a member of European institutions. At the same time we are a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In fact, we are one of the few countries in the world that are members of both organizations that unite more than 200 countries. Our relations with Europe are not confined to energy security. Our cooperation covers a wider range of areas. I think that these relations, as I have already mentioned, can play a very important role in the strengthening of stability, prediction and cooperation in our region, Europe and Asia. We need this. We need cooperation for reducing potential risks. Unfortunately risks still exist here and they are near.

Azerbaijan is also an active member of the international community. Despite being independent and a member of the UN for just 23 years, our country managed to prove itself as an open, friendly and reliable partner. This is why Azerbaijan was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2012-2013 thanks to support and votes of 155 countries. For two years we were a member of the world`s number one international organization. We chaired the Security Council two times. This is a sign of comprehensive support of the majority of the international community for us, our policy. Our policy is based on international law and justice, it envisages the expansion of cooperation and reduction of potential risks. Membership of the UN Security Council was Azerbaijan`s biggest diplomatic and political triumph. In fact, our work inside the country, our policy towards our neighbors and partners are highly appreciated in the world. Today the world needs more cooperation and understanding, as well as reduction of potential and existing threats.

Of course, I can say much about Azerbaijan. But I know that we have a limited time frame so I would like to focus on our policy relating to the development of sport and Olympic movement. It is one of the priorities for Azerbaijan. We are doing a lot to encourage Olympic values. These are friendship, peace and cooperation. At the same time we are practically investing big investment in the creation of modern sports infrastructure. More than modern Olympic centers were built in Azerbaijan in the last 10-15 years. By the way, the first Olympic and Sports Center was built in Azerbaijan in 2000, and Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, the then President of the European Olympic Committees Mr. Jacques Rogge attended the inauguration of that first sports center.

This tradition has continued ever since. Incumbent President of the European Olympic Committees, my dear friend Mr. Patrick Hickey participated in the opening of an Olympic and Sports Complex in one of the cities in the south of our country in 2006. Investment made in sports facilities is reflected in the achievements of our athletes. We are proud that Azerbaijani sportsmen are duly representing our country on the international arena. At the last Olympic Games in London our sportsmen won 10 medals, including two golds. Our country ranked 30th in the overall table, and 15th among European countries.

At this year`s Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing our young sportsmen ranked 10th among 200 countries. This is a historical achievement for a country, which gained its independence only 23 years ago and which does not have big population. The 10th place means that we are one of the world`s leading sports nations. This proves that sport is encouraged and necessary infrastructure is built in Azerbaijan. All the athletes who won medals in London and Nanjing are sportsmen who were established in the years of independence. Independence is our greatest asset. The people of Azerbaijan today are proud of not only being independent, but also of raising its flag in the United Nations. They are also proud that this independence brought success, social welfare to the country and prosperity to the people.

We have experience in holding European and world championships. Azerbaijan has hosted numerous such events. But, of course, next year`s European Games will be the highest-class sporting event for us. We are proud that the first European Games will take place in Azerbaijan. Taking the opportunity I would like to thank the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees for this decision. I can say that we will make you happy again, and will try our best to ensure high-level preparation and holding of the Games. We have little time. Just two-and-a-half years were set out for the preparations. Fortunately investment made in sport infrastructure in previous years allowed us to prepare in a couple of months. Of course, this will be a unique event both in Europe and the entire world.

I believe that we will set a benchmark for the organization of these Games. You probably know that more than 6,000 sportsmen will compete in 20 sports in these Games. In 2016 we will host the World Chess Olympiad, and the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. It is very symbolic. You will watch the European Games and then Islamic Solidarity Games in one country, one city in two years. This reflects the current reality of Azerbaijan. Our country is modern and dynamic. It is open for cooperation, and is situated at the crossroads of civilizations and continents. It has good potential, strong support and clear plans for the future.

I`m sure that our guests will have an opportunity to better know Azerbaijan.

I wish you success, and thank you very much for being with us today.

Thank you.

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President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and president of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey made speeches.

Then Patrick Hickey presented President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva with souvenirs of the European Olympic Committees.

Patrick Hickey also presented President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach with the Order of Merit, the award of the highest European Olympic Committees distinction, for his contribution to the development of sports globally and his commitment to Olympic ideals.