Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
No one doubts the security of the first European Games in Baku will be ensured at the highest level, expert Arzu Naghiyev told Trend April 20.
Azerbaijani law enforcement bodies are fully ready to ensure the security of the first European Games, he said.
"According to the preliminary data, over 6,000 athletes, representing 49 countries, will participate in the Games," he said. Adding that besides the athletes, many tourists, who will watch the first European Games, are expected to visit Azerbaijan.
"The accommodation of tourists and athletes requires great efforts," he said. "Moreover, the most important issue is to ensure their safety, to resolve security issues given the events taking place in the region."
The country has the needed experience as Azerbaijan has already held a number of major international events, he stated.
"Security measures were also taken during the Eurovision Song Contest held in Azerbaijan at the high level," Naghiyev said. "I believe that the country's law enforcement agencies are ready for holding of the First European Games in the country."
The expert also touched upon the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that could cause certain security problems.
"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the region hasn't been resolved and Armenians do not take steps to resolve it," said Naghiyev. "It is not ruled out that during the First European Games, Armenians can commit acts of sabotage on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian armies."
"Therefore, to ensure the safety of the first European games, aside from the law enforcement bodies, the Azerbaijani armed forces, units of interior troops, and all the military units in general will be on high alert," said Naghiyev.
He added that thus, during the preparation for the European Games, the security issues will be settled at the highest level, starting with the patrol services of the interior ministry and ending with the national army and other military units.
"Let no one have any doubt in this," Naghiyev stressed.
Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent, which 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.
Edited by CN