Ilham Aliyev congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the decision of the European Olympic Committee to award the 2015 European Olympic Games to Baku

“On 8 December, the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee reached the decision to conduct the 2015 European Olympic Games in Azerbaijan. I sincerely congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this significant historic event. This is a indeed historic event. Because these will be inaugural European Olympic Games and it is certainly a great historic event, a tremendous success of our country that the Games will be held in Baku.

I would like to thank everyone who had participated in the adoption of this decision, to express our gratitude to the European Olympic Committee. I want to indicate that the Games will be held at a high level. Thus, Baku will go down in the history of the European Olympic Committee for its contribution to the hosting of the Olympic Games.

Several factors have played a role in the adoption of this decision. First of all, a role has been played by our country’s international authority. Azerbaijan is a country enjoying tremendous international respect these days. Our role and influence in the international community are growing and the world community treats Azerbaijan with great respect and reverence.

Last year saw a landmark event in the history of our country, Azerbaijan was elected a member of the UN Security Council. We won this honor through the votes of 155 countries and over the course of this year Azerbaijan has been safeguarding its principled position as a member of the UN Security Council. As I stated earlier, we will safeguard international law and justice in the Security Council.

In other words, our international relations are expanding, the number of our friends is growing, the international authority of our country is very positive. Another factor is that there has been public and political stability in Azerbaijan for many years. This is also very important. Public and political stability is highly important to the country’s dynamic and successful development. Azerbaijan has asserted itself in the world as an exemplary country in this respect.

Of course, our economic successes have also contributed to this decision. Over the past nine years Azerbaijan has developed at the highest pace in the world. Our economy has grown threefold, i.e. by 300 per cent. The process of economic diversification is powering ahead. We are seeing wonderful economic successes at the end of this year and are proud of that.

In terms of economic competitiveness, Azerbaijan is in 46th place in the world and in first place in the CIS. All the leading international rating agencies raised Azerbaijan’s credit rating even in the years of the economic downturn. So economic opportunities have also played a part.

Modern infrastructure projects are under way in our country and in Baku. A number of them have already been completed. Baku is on the list of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is no coincidence that this factor has also played a role. Additional measures will be taken in the years ahead to further expand and modernize the infrastructure of Baku.

Modern infrastructure and service facilities are built in Baku. The city is becoming nicer and nicer with every day. A lot is being done, public places, parks are established, buildings renovated. There are wonderful conditions for private enterprise development. The investment environment in Azerbaijan is very favorable. At the same time, our economic, i.e. financial resources will enable us to conduct the Olympic Games at a high level.

I also want to note that a lot has been done to create a sports infrastructure in Baku and in Azerbaijan as a whole. A number of the projects initiated earlier have been completed. The sports facilities currently under construction will be commissioned in the next two years. So we have all the opportunities to host the European Olympic Games. We have both the sports infrastructure and a developed city.

The news has been received in our society with great joy. Of course, the successes of our sportsmen have also played a role in the adoption of this decision. Azerbaijan is recognized in the world and in Europe as a sports nation today. Our successes are measured by the number of medals won in international competitions and complemented by the sports infrastructure created in Azerbaijan and in Baku. If we add to this the world and European championship conducted in Azerbaijan and in Baku we will see that sport is indeed developing very successfully in Azerbaijan. The popularity of sport is promoted, the Olympic movement in Azerbaijan is at a very high level.

Our sportsmen demonstrated a successful performance in the Summer Olympic Games. We have won a historic victory in this year’s Summer Olympic Games – we won 10 medals. We finished in 30th place among world countries and in 15th among European. So all these factors have contributed to this decision.

I want to repeat that the decision to award the first European Olympic Games to Baku is a historic event. It is evidence of great confidence in us, a sign of great respect, but it also means tremendous responsibility. I have no doubt that we will cope with this test successfully and with dignity and conduct the Games at a high level.

The Games are to be held in 2015. So we have only two years to prepare. I am confident that we will complete all the necessary preparations at a high level. We will demonstrate the world again that a young, independent and dynamically developing Azerbaijan has achieved a great success.

I congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this wonderful occasion.

Long live Azerbaijan!”