EUROPEAN GAMES WILL OPEN UP BELARUS TO THE WORLD

Press release June 1, 2018

The 2nd European Games to be held next year in Minsk will open up Belarus to the world when it hosts the biggest multi-sport event on the continent from June 21-30.

In a frank briefing with leading news organisations at the Embassy of Belarus in Brussels, Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, said that hosting this spectacular sporting occasion will throw the spotlight on the country’s political, social and economic development and he added that the country is ready to welcome the sporting world "with open arms".

With over 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 50 countries expected to descend on Minsk, the 2nd European Games represent the largest sporting event ever hosted in Belarus, but Mr Makei stressed that the country is looking forward to using the occasion to showcase his country’s progress as a willing global partner to a worldwide audience.

"Part of our DNA is that we want to live in peace and stability," said Mr Makei. "We have suffered very much in the past through the first and second world wars when our country was totally destroyed. Our cities’ infrastructure was totally destroyed.

"But the best way out of this situation and to avoid these dividing lines is through dialogue and to work with our partners to develop stronger and closer friendships that are irreversible."

Mr Makei said that the European Games can help to transform the image of Belarus which has "lived in the shadows of big states" for a long time.

"The atmosphere in our relationships with the European countries, USA and the rest of the world is changing, and at the same time we are working hard to strengthen our relationship with Russia and our neighbouring states," he said. "But it is not possible to get a true picture about the country without visiting, so I invite you (the western media) to visit Belarus because it will help to break the old vision and show the real picture of Belarus."

The 2nd European Games will see sports played in 15 state-of-the-art stadia that are already in place but undergoing renovations in preparation to host 10 days of world-class action next summer.

Thousands of fans are also set to visit the country and Mr Makei said that plans are in place to ensure that the safety and security of all involved are a priority.

"We are in the process of introducing a 15-day visa for 80 countries which includes the EU so this will enable us to welcome the fans with open arms to Belarus," he said. "Our President, Alexander Lukashenko, as a sportsman, is paying great attention to this event.

We want to change this negative image of Belarus in the western world and show that we are, in fact, a modern developed country that has taken a lot of steps in the right direction."

Belarus has a solid track record in hosting major sporting events, including the 2014 IIHF World Championship for ice hockey which he described as a "great practice" for hosting the 2nd European Games.

Mr Makei used the briefing to highlight the great strides that have been made by Belarus as a country in recent years. He also believes the Games will help to open up and strengthen trade and economic relations for Belarus which wants to be positioned as a willing partner to the world.

"We live in a new age. No one knows what will happen in the next two or three decades. But we belong in the European family and we would like to accept the rules to be a part of this family."

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