Vitaly Mutko about sports contacts between Moscow and Baku

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko held a press conference today devoted to the results of the outgoing year and plans for 2016 in Moscow. He spoke in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza about the cooperation in sports between Moscow and Baku, as well as sharing his impressions of the First European Games held this year in Azerbaijan.

"On the whole, we have good relations with Azerbaijan. We are actively cooperating at the level of sports ministers, we have a lot of joint projects," the head of the Ministry stressed.

Speaking about the First European Games, the minister said that the breakthrough made by Azerbaijan in creating the infrastructure for these competitions is very impressive. According to Mutko, Baku held the European Games at Olympic level. "Azerbaijan has set a high benchmark. I think for that reason there are no more requests to hold the European Games, because everyone saw the level of the organization. It is very difficult to repeat it. Today this can be done only by Russia, the US, China and a few other countries," he explained.

The head of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation expressed hope that the infrastructure created will be used in a dignified manner. "I hope that it will be used by children, that training centers will be created. In general, I believe that Azerbaijan rightfully received the opportunity to hold these Games. Everything was done with love, care, respect and responsibility," Mutko noted.

The minister also said that the last time he was in Baku before the First European Games was in 1977. "I was just amazed by the things I saw now. It's a cross between a European city and the Emirates. Such a beautiful city with wide streets. I liked it very much. I once again congratulate all the citizens and organizers of this wonderful project. The Games were fantastic," Vitaly Mutko concluded.