President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by president of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey.

The delegation included vice president of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic, Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi and Coordination Commission chairman Spyros Capralos.

President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey thanked the head of state for the high-level organization of the first European Games. He described the Azerbaijani President`s presenting the gold medal to blind judoka Ilham Zakiyev and his climbing on to the winner`s rostrum together with him as a magnificent and exciting moment. He said this moment was watched with great interest throughout the world.

The head of state thanked president of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey for warm words, saying the presentation of the gold medal to Ilham Zakiyev was indeed a very touching moment for the entire people of Azerbaijan and athletes. Saying that Ilham Zakiyev symbolizes courage and dignity, the head of state noted that presenting him with the medal on the Day of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces was a symbolic and remarkable event. "He invited me to climb on to the winner`s rostrum, and I did it with great pleasure," said President Ilham Aliyev, adding "it was an unforgettable moment".

President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey said Ilham Zakiyev picked up a confident win by showing excellent technique.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked the members of the delegation and personally Patrick Hickey for their role in the development of sport in Azerbaijan and the organization of the first European Games. Describing the holding of the European Games in Azerbaijan as a manifestation of the European Olympic family`s and personally Patrick Hickey`s confidence in Azerbaijan, the head of state said the country spared no efforts to justify this confidence.

President Ilham Aliyev praised the role of chairman of the Coordination Commission of the European Olympic Committees Spyros Capralos and all members of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees in ensuring the magnificent, unforgettable organization of the first European Games.

Vice president of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic thanked the Azerbaijani President for his role in the organization of the European Games. "We also applaud the role of the people of Azerbaijan, especially youth," he said.

The head of state said he was deeply impressed by the role of the people of Azerbaijan, particularly professionalism and high spirits of young volunteers in the organization of the first European Games. President Ilham Aliyev once again thanked Patrick Hickey and the members of the delegation for their warm words.