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Ilham Madatov: Baku conference of the Council of Europe ministers responsible for sport is a very important event for the recognition of Azerbaijan and its sport â€“ INTERVIEW

16 September 2010 08:49 (UTC +04:00)

- What is the reason for holding this conference in Baku?

- Every two years the Council of Europe holds conferences to discuss the important issues of the sport in the European countries. Earlier, these conferences were held every four years, but as new problems emerged it was decided to hold the conferences every two years. The conference was last held in Greece. At that conference Azerbaijan and Serbia presented their candidacies to organize the next conference. During the initial talks an agreement was reached to support Azerbaijanâ€™s candidacy, and offer opportunities for Serbia at the next conference. Therefore, we were almost the only country in the voting process and of course, Azerbaijan was commissioned to host the conference. Prior to it, Azerbaijanâ€™s government gave its consent and the letters of consent were sent to the Council of Europe that the country will fulfill all the organizational issues in time and perfectly.

- What will be the theme of the conference?

- This is the 18th informal conference of the Council of Europe ministers responsible for sport. The conference will consist of two parts. The main issue will be discussed at the first part. This issue was discussed in Europe on various levels and finally it was decided to discuss it on the level of the European ministers and pass a resolution. The theme is â€œInterference in the results of matches, preserving fairness and integrity of sportâ€. It is about the problem of agreeing the results of the matches beforehand. There are agreed matches, these matches are betted, sweepstakes are held, sometimes influence is made on the results of the matches through them. This has especially developed in the Asian countries, Europe wants to protect itself, as there are such tendencies there.

European sports cooperation will be discussed in the second part of the conference. There are 4 issues on the agenda assuming big importance. One of them is giving visas to sportsmen participating in competitions. After establishment of the EU there occurred problems in receipt of a visa for non-EU citizens. It impacts on Council of Europe values.

The second issue is that there are sport conventions in Europe. One of them is Anti-Doping Convention, another is sport matches, especially a convention against improper behavior and violence during football games. The monitoring of these conventions will be discussed.

World Anti-Doping Agency WADA is functioning for more than 10 years. European state organizations are always represented by one person at its executive committee â€“ one of the European ministers. The last was Spanish Sports Minister, but because of the expiration of his tenure, there will be held elections for the next 2011-2012.

Another issue is about the cooperation between EU and Council of Europe. It is one of the serious issues. Statements will be passed on each issue.

- How many countries will be represented at the conference? As we know, Secretary General of the Council of Europe ThorbjÃ¸rn Jagland may arrive in Baku as well.

- Jagland will not arrive. He sent a letter that he would not take part in. The Director General of Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport at the Council of Europe Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni will participate in. we will have ministers, secretaries of states, deputy ministers from 18 countries. 6-7 organization heads functioning in sport sphere will arrive in Baku. European Olympic Committeeâ€™s president Patrick Hikki (he will also arrive as a representative of the International Olympic Committee), head of â€œSport Accordâ€ organization, vice-president of the European Fair Play company and secretary general will take part in the conference. Generally, 33 countries have been registered up to this day.

- Will this conference impact on relations between Azerbaijan and Europe in the sphere of sport?

- This conference demonstrates European values, discusses how to realize Council of Europeâ€™s values via sport. It is not an absolute sport conference, common values are discussed here. But nevertheless, arrival of such ministers, heads of international sport organizations in Azerbaijan, of course, will help Azerbaijan to become more popular, especially from standpoint of sport. Even bilateral negotiations are considered to conduct, programs to be signed. I believe that the conference is a very important event for the recognition of Azerbaijan and its sport. We will try to use it maximum.