/AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Baku 2015 European Games has made a presentation to the Regional Forum of National Olympic Committees of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Baltic States in Tbilisi.

The presentation has been held as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Georgian National Olympic Committee.

A team from Baku 2015 and the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee attended the forum to update invited guests, including members of the International Olympic Committee, on latest developments for the inaugural European Games.

The first European games will take place from June 12 to 28, 2015. More than 6,000 athletes will compete in 20 sports over the 17 days next year.

In total, 15 countries from the CIS region and Baltic States were invited to Georgia to take part in the event under the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity National Olympic Committee Exchange and Regional Forums program.

Director of Athlete Services and Operations at Baku 2015 James Macleod informed delegates about preparations for the first European Games. "It was a great honor for our team to be invited to attend this prestigious anniversary by the Georgian National Olympic Committee."

"It was a perfect opportunity to update many of Azerbaijan's neighboring countries on our recent progress, and we are looking forward to having their athletes compete in Baku at the inaugural European Games.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Georgian National Olympic Committee on their 25 years of success so far, and wish them many more in the future," he said.

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Patrick Hickey and Chairman of the EOC Spyros Capralos were also in attendance over the weekend and had the opportunity to meet the President and Prime Minister of Georgia, as well as a number promising young athletes who hope to take part in the inaugural European Games in June 2015.