Baku, Azerbaijan, May 2
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
The first European Games are a unique opportunity to promote Azerbaijan in the whole world, the former president of Bulgaria Petar Stoyanov (1997-2002) told Trend May 2.
He said that these Games have great significance for the development of Azerbaijan and for the growth of its international prestige.
The former president said that tens of thousands of people from different countries, including Bulgaria, will arrive in Azerbaijan. In addition, 100 million people will watch the Games on TV, said Stoyanov. All this will lead to increased interest for the country, a lot of tourists will want to visit it, according to him.
Undoubtedly, this will make a great contribution to the development of Azerbaijan's economy, he said.
Stoyanov, having noted that he has repeatedly been to Azerbaijan in recent years, said that every time he witnesses great development of the country.
Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent that will take place on June 12-28, 2015.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.
Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.