A ceremony has been held in Rome to present Baku 2015 European Games.
Azerbaijan`s first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
Co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan`s Embassy to Italy, the event was attended by Italian public, political and culture figures, representatives of the international sports community and other high-level guests.
Azerbaijan`s first lady, Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva arrived at Italy`s National Gallery of Modern Art.
The guests first viewed an exhibition of bronze statues by Azerbaijani sculptors devoted to Baku-2015. Called “We Together”, the exhibition featured over 20 works related to various types of sports.
The guests were handed various publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation about Azerbaijan, including Baku 2015 Games.
The host of the presentation ceremony provided an insight into the first European Games, and highlighted Azerbaijan`s history, rich culture, traditions and tolerance.
Azerbaijan`s first lady, Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.
The event then featured demonstration of a film about preparation for Baku-2015.
Italian Minister of Education, Universities and Research Stefania Giannini hailed Mehriban Aliyeva`s contribution to developing various areas of life, particularly sport. The Minister said Italy will also contribute to ensuring excellent organization of the Games in Baku.
President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey praised the leadership of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in her role as Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee.
President of the Italian National Olympic Committee Giovanni Malago stressed the importance of Baku-2015 as itwill offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino hailed the relations between Italy and Azerbaijan in the fields of culture and sports. He expressed confidence that the Baku Games will be successfully organized.
President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey presented Azerbaijan`s first lady Mehriban Aliyeva with a keepsake marking the start of the 100 Days To Go countdown to Baku-2015.
Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in co-operation with the EOC.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Magsud Dadashov
Special Correspondent