Closing speech by Ilham Aliyev at the first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the European Olympic Games due to be held in Baku in 2015

- I believe that this meeting is a very important step in our preparations for the work lying ahead. But the presentation made here shows that work has already begun. I am very pleased that the Organizing Committee has prepared its proposals in a very short period of time. Thus, there is already an excellent basis for doing the preparatory work at the highest level. We can say that our goals on all the directions have been generally identified and are clear. Now it is time to start doing specific work on every direction, so that we could hold the Games at a high level.

In the first place, of course, it is necessary to prepare the sports facilities. The presentation indicated that the venues of the upcoming events are already known. But the facilities currently under construction should be commissioned on time. First and foremost among them, of course, is the Olympic Stadium. Work has already begun there. The Gymnastics Center – work is also under way there, masonry has been completed. The aquatic center – its construction has already started and I am sure it will be finished on time, as this is also a very important facility. And not just for the Games – the construction of a modern water sports center is extremely important for Baku. This decision was made several years ago. The decision to conduct the European Games in Baku had not been made yet when we began this work, prepared a project and conducted an exchange of views on possible locations. Finally, the aquatic center will be built on an area of the city after the Flag Square which has been prepared as part of the development plan of Baku. I believe that this is the right place because a center designed for water sports should be built on the seafront. I am sure that this palace will have an interesting architectural design and functional features.

So the commissioning of sports facilities is crucial. I am aware that the Organizing Committee is holding discussions associated with the placement of athletes. There are several opinions. Of course, the Azerbaijani state can build an accommodation for athletes. But we need to see whether it is possible to use the existing and already constructed buildings.
When we submitted our proposal on accommodating the visitors to the European Olympic Committee, it certainly reflected this issue as well. But if we look at the previous periods and at our applications for hosting Summer Olympic Games, we can see that the issue of a shortage of hotels has always been the stumbling block for approval of our documents. In other words, I recall the expert group of the International Olympic Committee pointing to a lack of hotel rooms in its comments to us.

Therefore, we, in particular, the tourism and construction companies working in the private sector, should try to take steps to build additional, new hotels. The Mayor’s Office of Baku and other relevant organizations should submit their proposals regarding available locations. We should chose places, then they should be shown to companies so the latter could build new hotels before 2015. A total of five five-star hotels were opened in Baku over the past two years. I don’t think that five five-star hotels have been opened elsewhere in the region or on the continent in the last 18 months. But despite that, more hotels are still necessary.

Perhaps it will be necessary to build mainly four- and three-star hotels in Baku from now onwards. Locations must be selected and projects submitted. If necessary, the Organizing Committee may also review such projects.
It was indicated in the presentation that travel routes would also be identified. This is also a very important issue. Of course, the Games are a major sports festival. But at the same time, they will allow us the opportunity to introduce our country to visitors, tourists and the world community.

I am very pleased that a lot is also being done in the districts to build the tourism infrastructure. New tourism centers are emerging in various parts of our country. Azerbaijan has many wonderful and picturesque places with beautiful nature. At present, these places are being landscaped and rebuilt. I can mention the Shahdag ski resort. The availability of fine hotels in other regions makes them attractive to tourists. The visitors coming to Baku, the tourists should certainly use these opportunities. Travel routes should be determined.

The investment made in the transport sector in recent years has contributed to the improvement of the transport infrastructure in the regions as well. New international airports have been built in the regions.

Highways are under construction, railways are being modernized. In other words, travel routes should also agree with the transport infrastructure. We have to address this issue in a comprehensive manner. I believe that the new experience gained in this area will contribute to the development of tourism in Azerbaijan in the future, because after the Games this experience and infrastructure will continue to serve us for years to come.

Of course, we will take additional steps to enhance security. The presentation made today contained a few words about that. In general, we are regularly enhancing security measures in the country and in our city. A significant role in the decision to award the Games to Baku belongs to the fact that the crime situation in Azerbaijan is very positive. I can say that Azerbaijan, including the city of Baku, is one of the safest places in the world. On average, about 30-40 crimes per day are committed in the country. Their absolute majority are not grave crimes. So for a country of 9.3 million people this is a very low crime rate.

Of course, we should take preventive measures to keep the crime situation at this level. I think that an important component of the preventive measures has been the installation of surveillance cameras in our city a few years ago. Now there are new kinds of cameras. The minister said this in his remarks. They also have a face detection feature, which will be very important in always keeping the crime situation at a low level.

We should take other measures as well. Of course, we should take special security measures. Security measures should be taken at sports facilities, hotels and other places. These measures should be taken by all appropriate structures – the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, the State Border Service and other relevant law enforcement agencies. I am sure that, as always, we will achieve what we want in this area. Coordination work between all law enforcement agencies, especially before and during the Games, must be organized at an even higher level.

Issues related to transportation are very important. This has been reported here. I can say that I have attended all Summer Olympic Games since 2000. And I can personally confirm that it is transport problems that have caused the most problems for visitors. In 2000, I attended the Olympic opening ceremony as President of the National Olympic Committee and in 2004 already as President of Azerbaijan. I can say that as far as transport issues are concerned, there is no big difference between ordinary citizens and the head of state. Both as President of the National Olympic Committee and as head of state I have had to spend time in traffic jams in various cities. This indicates that traffic problems even in the most developed countries and the most developed cities of the world are not resolved properly during the Games. It is the transport issues that were of particular concern to both ordinary citizens and heads of state and were not resolved at the appropriate level. I wouldn’t like to mention those cities, but my experience suggests that, unfortunately, transport issues are of concern perhaps to everyone. Ordinary citizens, spectators, visitors, tourists, official delegations have had to spend hours in traffic jams. So I can say that for someone who has come to a city watch the Games this is the most difficult ordeal. These days people coming to another city to watch the Games book a hotel room in advance and then choose other places of recreation. But transport issues can not be predicted in advance. When people are faced with such a situation, this, of course, worries them. Therefore, despite the tremendous work carried out in Baku in recent years to improve the transport infrastructure, further measures must be taken.

A special program must be prepared for the comfort of athletes and visitors.

There are designated lanes in other cities. But these lanes are not very effective. Other measures are also taken. But as someone who has attended a number of the Olympic Games, I can honestly say that transportation issues have not been resolved at the appropriate level anywhere. I think that we must apply our standards to the Games due to be held in Baku. After that, the Azerbaijani and Baku standards can serve as a model for others. We must approach this issue comprehensively too. Of course, we should update the vehicle fleet. We should bring in new buses and taxis. We will examine this issue separately.

New road junctions will be put into operation prior to the Games. I can say that these projects were planned on earlier. We do not envisage these projects specifically for the Games. But, of course, special measures should be taken to provide easy access to the venues of events.

Among the work to be carried out, an important place belongs to other infrastructure, especially power supply. A lot has been done in this area in Azerbaijan in recent years. Over the last few years we have commissioned new power plants with a capacity of 1,500 megawatts. The power grid of Baku is being reconstructed. Now we are exporting electricity to different countries. There are still some problems with transmission lines in the districts and in Baku. The restoration of transmission lines and installation of new transmission pylons, of course, require great attention. I am sure that by 2015 this entire economy will be completely renewed. Thus, our energy system will be fully updated both in Baku and in the regions.

I am sure that the work related to information and communications will be carried out at the proper level. Appropriate measures were taken in connection with the "Eurovision" song contest. Especially when we consider that this year has been declared “The Year of the ICT” in Azerbaijan and the fact that special attention is being paid to this sector. Yesterday I signed a decree on the establishment of a University of Information Technology. This area should receive special attention. In other words, the athletes coming here, visitors and experts should freely use all the opportunities. We are laying broadband Internet lines to every population center of the country. This is a very important project. One of the factors demonstrating the importance of this project is that funds for its financing have been allocated from the State Oil Fund. We must make sure that in the time left for the Games in Baku the entire work related to this field is carried out at the highest level.

With regard to health issues, work in this area in Baku is moving in a positive direction. New hospitals are under construction and some of them will be opened this year and in 2014. The level of equipment is already in line with world standards. The professionalism of doctors is also growing. But given the fact that thousands of visitors will come here for the Games, it needs to grow even faster. Of course, the medical service should also further expand its capabilities. Additional ambulance vehicles may have to be purchased. As you know, we updated all our ambulance vehicles in previous years. There is not a single Soviet-type ambulance in Baku now. A new service has been set up. Efficiency is also at the proper level. Ambulances arrive to patients’ help in a timely manner. But, at the same time, further measures must be taken because thousands of visitors will be in Baku for about two weeks. We should also consider the issue of attracting doctors to English language courses. On the eve of "Eurovision" we had attracted the police to such courses. This process should be continued in the future too. It has nothing to do with the Games. The number of people coming to Baku is on the increase. Of course, police officers should speak English. It will be good if they do. The same hold true for health workers. In general, to speak a foreign language is very good. Every young man should try to learn foreign languages.

The Olympic symbol is also a very important issue because it represents the country in some way. The Games due to be held in Baku will, of course, be in the spotlight of the European public. But the symbol or symbols of Olympic Games are a very important issue. I am aware that a competition has already been announced. It is necessary to treat this issue very seriously. The public should also be able to have a say. We may put this issue on a public debate, so that the citizens of Azerbaijan could have a say. This symbol, of course, must reflect both the history and special features of our country.

We also need to ensure the participation of our athletes in the preparation for the Games. Both outstanding, famous athletes and the broad masses of sportsmen should be heavily involved in all this work. Perhaps the volunteers should also include athletes. So the sports community of Azerbaijan should be very actively involved in this work.

As for the volunteers, we already have some experience relating to "Eurovision", and it proved positive. But these Games will attract even more visitors. Therefore, of course, volunteers must be specifically instructed because their successful activity will also facilitate the success of the Games. I want to refer to my own experience again – volunteers play a very important function, their efficiency, friendliness and hospitality can create a positive impression about the country. Therefore, specially selected young people should be engaged in this work. Overall, I can see that the interest in this work is growing and our young people are actively involved in public work, the work that benefits the country. This is a very positive development.

It was noted here that the European Olympic Committee is of the opinion that these Games should not copy Summer Olympic Games. Of course, I also agree with that. At the same time, they should be conducted at a level not lower than that of the Summer Olympic Games. Naturally, these Games should have their own identity. But from the standpoint of organization, i.e. from the standpoint of doing all this preparatory work, the level of these Games should not be any lower than that of the Summer Olympics. I think that they should and will be held at an even higher level.

I do not want to go back to the summer Olympic Games held in previous years. But we are aware of all the shortcomings and issues of concern to people and athletes. We must work hard in order not to repeat those shortcomings and mistakes. These Games will have their own identity, their own standards, and I can say that we will apply these standards. In the future, European Games will be conducted on the foundation laid by us. Neither the European Olympic Committee nor we have any experience in conducting such Games. And this is a huge difficulty, a big challenge for us.

In my opening remarks I noted that we have only two years for preparations, while six to seven years are usually allowed for a country to prepare for Summer Olympic Games. There is already extensive experience of conducting Summer Olympic Games, and the International Olympic Committee has specific instructions and guidelines on each area. There are whole volumes of material. They have rules set for each area, for each direction. There are ready instructions, methodological guidelines. But there is nothing here. Under such circumstances, the entire responsibility for the solution of all organizational issues rests on us. In a way, we will set new standards for conducting these Games and the following such Games in other cities. This is a huge responsibility indeed. I want to say again that the level of these Games should not be any lower than that of Summer Olympic Games. I am confident that we will achieve that despite the fact that we will host such large representative Games for the first time. But so far Baku has successfully hosted European and world championships, the "Eurovision" song contest and other international events.

I am sure that the Organizing Committee will do the job at a high level. I have no doubt about that. Thus, Azerbaijan will again introduce itself to the world and Europe as a modern and strong state. I wish the Organizing Committee every success. You are starting hard work from now on. Thank you.