EOC President Janez Kocijančič and EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus HE Sergei Rumas at EOC Headquarters in Rome today, 6 February 2019.

The visit comes to strengthen the cooperation between Belarus and the EOC ahead of Europe’s premier multisport event, which will take place in Minsk from 21-30 June 2019.

The meeting also featured Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus in Italy Aleksandr Guryanov and Deputy CEO European Games Minsk 2019 Organising Committee Anatol Kotau.

EOC President congratulated Rumas, who is also Chairman of the Republican Organising Committee for the 2^nd European Games Minsk 2019, for the excellent work that, along with Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC), they are doing to make the European Games a successful event.

“We are very satisfied with your collaborative efforts” Kocijančič said. “And fully confident you will make the best use of this opportunity to show the world a modern Belarus”.

EOC President also stressed that in this very last phase of preparations an even stronger support from the government is needed, especially in terms of staffing and quick decision making.

For its part, Rumas stated that preparations are being followed very carefully and Belarus is putting every effort in ensuring a high-level event under all operational aspects.

“135 days from today the biggest multisport event in Europe will kick off and I must say that the Belarusian government is fully committed to support MEGOC”, Rumas said. “To us, the European Games mean a lot, they will raise our country’s image and showcase its progress”.

The organisation of the “Flame of Peace” lighting ceremony was also on the table of discussions. The event will take place at the historical and iconic monument “Ara Pacis” in Rome on 3 May 2019. From there, the Torch Relay will start and the athletes of the Belarusian Climbing and Mountaineering Federation will bring the Flame of Peace to the top of Mont Blanc on 4—7 May 2019.

“The Flame of the 2^nd Minsk 2019 European Games will travel towards Belarus by road, passing through the European countries of Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Poland,” Belarus Prime Minister said. “It represents a very emblematic moment for us and will open up Belarus to the world.”

With over 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 50 countries expected to descend on Minsk, the 2^nd European Games represent the largest sporting event ever hosted in Belarus and a turning point for the country.