Belarus and Lithuania will draw up the measures to ease customs operations at the border crossing points at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border during the Second European Games. The customs agencies of Belarus and Lithuania signed a memorandum on interaction during the 2nd European Games. The document was signed during the meeting between Yuri Senko, Chairman of the Belarusian State Customs Committee, and Arunas Adomenas, Director General of the Customs Department at the Finance Ministry of Lithuania, in Vilnius on 14 March. The main topic was the measures to ease customs operations at border crossing points at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border during the 2nd European Games in Belarus on 21-30 June 2019.

According to BelTA

President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Janez Kocijačič is satisfied with the quality and speed of preparations for the 2019 European Games in Belarus. The EOC president made the relevant statement as he met with Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov on 3 March.

Andrei Kobyakov remarked that meetings with the EOC president had become a regular occasion in anticipation of the 2019 European Games. As the competitions draw near, such meetings can become even more frequent. It is less than 500 days to go before the 2019 European Games begin. “We still have time. But those, who understand what large-scale tasks we are facing, say that we don’t have that much time,” said the prime minister.
Preparations for the competitions are proceeding in line with the agreements and the schedules Belarus and the EOC have agreed. “Nevertheless, there is a number of questions we should discuss and we are ready to do it. I think we will find a solution to the problems that emerge,” added Andrei Kobyakov. During the current visit to Minsk Janez Kocijančič has already held a number of meetings to review Belarus’ preparations for the 2019 European Games. EOC representatives presented their proposals concerning the organization of the games. “We are satisfied with what we’ve seen,” noted the EOC president. “The atmosphere here is very friendly. One can say it is atmosphere of cooperation.” In his opinion, the fact that Belarus has already hosted major competitions, including an ice hockey world championship in 2014, will contribute to the success of the 2019 European Games.
“I am very pleased that there are no delays with getting the infrastructure ready. Preparations are going on very well and in a timely manner,” concluded Janez Kocijančič.

According to Belta

After 2 days of intensive work the representatives of the Coordination Commission of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the foundation “Directorate of the 2nd European Games 2019″ took part in the press conference to review the results.

George Katulin, the 2nd Minsk 2019 European Games CEO:

“Mr.Spyros Kapralos, Minsk 2019 CoCom Chair pointed out some aspects which we should be more productive at. I would like to thank the management of the EOC for their expert guidance and advice and all-round support. I can assure the EOC delegates that all the recommendations will be taken as direct guide for action and we’ll do our best to meet all the challenges set, as far as we have a very serious test in a couple of weeks when representatives of the National Olympic Committees from all over Europe will visit Minsk and take part in the first Doors Open Day. We were strongly recommended to keep the same pace working under the project of the 2nd European Games, because the less time is left, the bigger scope of problems should be solved”.

Mr. Janez Kocijancic, EOC President:

“First of all I would like to thank the Belarusian part for hospitality and effective work during this session. I had a meeting with the NOC President and the President of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Alexander Lukashenko and discussed a number of questions regarding the upcoming European Games. I’m deeply sure that due to the close attention and support for sport in the country, the sports forum in Minsk will be very successful. In fact, the European Games is one of the major and most important sports events, second only to the Olympics. But taking into consideration that European countries took almost 50% of medals in Rio 2016 and around 70% of them in Pyeongchang 2018, in June, 2019 we can expect high results not only in sports and competitions area but also spectators interest. I would like to underline one more detail: all the venues have been already built or planned to be refurbished with no reference to the European games. It will help us to save some budget. At the same time, all the revenues from the event will be taken by Belarus and Belarusian people. We managed to create a high-effective team of the Organizing Committee and EOC representatives ”.

Spyros Kapralos, Minsk 2019 CoCom Chair:

“The main goal of the Coordination Commission is to provide all the necessary help and support to organize the upcoming Games, share the experience to complete all the challenges that arise at the preparatory stage of the multisport event. We are eager to hold it at the highest level with minimal costs”.