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European Games in Azerbaijan highlight tolerance and friendship - Times of Israel

Baku 2015 : EUROGAMES Materials 26 June 2015 15:25 (UTC +04:00)
The First European Games that are being held in Baku highlight Azerbaijan’s tolerance and friendship, blogger Israel Barouk said in its article published on The Times of Israel.
European Games in Azerbaijan highlight tolerance and friendship - Times of Israel

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 26

By Aygun Badalova - Trend:

The First European Games that are being held in Baku highlight Azerbaijan's tolerance and friendship, blogger Israel Barouk said in its article published on The Times of Israel.

"Beginning on June 12 and continuing into the end of this week, Azerbaijan hosts the inaugural European Games, and with no coincidence, Israel has sent the largest sports delegation in all of Israeli history to participate, he said. 142 Israeli competitors are enjoying Baku, capital of the Muslim-majority Republic of Azerbaijan, a safe and welcoming country for all Jews".

He noted that Israel has been especially successful so far in Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wrestling.

The groundbreaking size of the Israeli delegation is a testimony to the unique friendship between Israel and Azerbaijan, supported by old friendship between the Azerbaijani and Jewish people, and Azerbaijan's practice of multiculturalism and inter-religious harmony, the author wrote.

However, over the last few weeks, Barouk said, a well-orchestrated global campaign has been unleashed to defame and discredit these Games and Azerbaijan.

"Like Israel, Azerbaijan may take steps to secure the safety and integrity of its nation and investments, and like Israel, will also suffer the consequences of making complex decisions in front of a hungry and angry media, lashing out in simplicity," he said.

According to the article, Israel's policy makers must support and protect its secular, progressive and prosperous ally in the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan, the author said, with its vast energy reserves, proposed natural gas pipeline to Europe and geo-strategic location is poised to shift the international economic and political dynamic in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

"Azerbaijan is also an important partner in combating international terrorism. The recent U.S. State Department report on counter-terrorism named Azerbaijan a significant partner in the fight against terrorism, extremism and international money laundering, and praised the country for its ongoing successful collaboration with both the U.S. and NATO," he said.

For these exceptional 142 Israeli athletes, and for those of us privileged to witness it live or on the television, the meaning of Israel's presence and participation in the European Games is weighty, the author said.

The European Games that kicked off in Baku June 12, will last till June 28. There is a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports.

More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe came to Baku to represent their nations over 17 days of competition. Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.

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Aygun Badalova is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AygunBadalova

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