News & Events in Belarus

“We are one European family. Europe is our common home. Therefore we, as a young and ambitious country, are ready to play the corresponding part, including in sport. All the more so because sport is our priority,” the President of Belarus said.

“The principles we follow are very much consonant with those chosen by the International Olympic Committee. We are an international, multi-confessional and multinational country where everyone lives in peace and concord,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko suggested that the International Olympic Committee pays more attention to sport development in the countries that have been developing in this direction. “Yes, we have accepted leaders in the international sport, but I believe it is necessary to support developing countries. I know the International Olympic Committee promotes such ideas. We are ready to work with you in order to add momentum to the implementation of these ideas,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian President also thanked Thomas Bach for the role he plays in the international Olympic movement and in the international sport in general. “I am glad that the International Olympic Committee is run by, first of all, a specialist and, secondly, a person that is eager to develop sport and promote its development,” the Belarusian leader said.

In turn, Thomas Bach noted that he was happy to meet with the President of Belarus. “I am confident that you and the Belarusian team will play an important role in the history of the first European Games,” he said.

Alexander Lukashenko and Thomas Bach shared opinions on the official opening ceremony of the Games. The Belarus President emphasized that he liked the ceremony very much. In his words, everything has been organized in a calm manner and with a deep meaning.

Thomas Bach added that the ceremony had a symbolic meaning and described the history of the country.

At the end of the meeting Alexander Lukashenko presented the President of the International Olympic Committee with the Order of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus in recognition of Thomas Bach’s merits in the development of the Olympic movement, mass-participation sport and his contribution to the popularization of Olympic ideals and principles, sport and healthy lifestyle.