Inaugural European Games launches in Baku
Inaugural European Games was officially launched at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baku on Friday 13th November. The publication explores Azerbaijan’s fascinating history and traditions and its growing presence on the world stage, with a particular focus on the inaugural European Games, held in the country’s capital, Baku, in June 2015.
The launch ceremony was attended by many dignitaries and high-profile guests, including Azerbaijan’s Presidential Aide for Public and Political Affairs, Ali Hasanov; Minister of Youth and Sports, Azad Rahimov; President of Azerbaijan’s state oil company (SOCAR), Rovnag Abdullayev; and the Deputy Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s National Assembly, Bahar Muradova. Also present at the event were state and government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and several Azerbaijani athletes that represented their country at Baku 2015.
Senate Publishing was represented at the launch by the company Chairman Lord David Evans, CEO Caroline Minshell and Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Opening the ceremony, SOCAR Vice-President for ecology, and project manager for the publication, Rafiga Huseyn-zade highlighted Azerbaijan’s development in recent years. She heralded the country’s successful hosting of the first European Games as an important landmark in its history, commenting, “These Games allowed Azerbaijan to show its rich culture, hospitality and dynamic development to the world”.
Mr Hasanov thanked contributors to the book, and championed its importance in highlighting Azerbaijan’s key growth sectors. Drawing on the foreword from President Ilham Aliyev, Mr Hasanov stated, “In his interview, the head of state highlights a number of issues, including diversification of the economy, development of the non-oil sector, business environment, civil society building, protection and promotion of the national and cultural heritage, and the role of the first European Games in developing sports in Azerbaijan and Europe”.
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