2018-10-16
Today, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze opened the 15th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport.
The Head of Government, in his address to the conference's participants, emphasized the importance of holding this event in Tbilisi. According to the Prime Minister, Georgia, as a country with an ancient civilization and diverse culture, is also famed for its deep-rooted athletic traditions.
"Georgia, in terms of its geographic, political, cultural, or value-based systems, is an integral part of Europe. On our path to European integration, we enjoy strong support from the Council of Europe-and our cooperation goes back decades. Since 1999, the cooperation between Georgia and the Council of Europe has deepened ever further to encompass every direction, notably sport as a special and important field, as evidenced by the multifarious cooperation under the Council of Europe Enlarged Partial Agreement," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
As the Head of Government pointed out, besides its athletic significance, the area of sport has acquired new meaning to include on its agenda such globally important issues as the fight against violence, racism, discrimination, doping, match fixing, and corruption, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
"This is exactly why this day is so symbolic because, on Georgia's initiative, and in cooperation with the Council of Europe, the Tbilisi Declaration on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Sport has been developed, an unprecedented document in the realm of sport. In addition, international resolutions on the fight against corruption and the protection of human rights in sport have also been prepared. Today, in the 21st century, sport has become an integral part of the lives of modern people. Directly or indirectly, the field of sport is drawing closer to public thinking and everyday life. As a universal means, it acquires, among others, social, economic, and education significance. Numerous studies confirm that sport is emerging as a powerful tool of European integration," Mamuka Bakhtadze underlined.
According to the Prime Minister, it is commendable that state institutions, international organizations, transnational corporations, and NGOs significantly increase their contributions to the area of sport, including in Georgia.
"I am convinced that the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, similar to upcoming joint meetings of the Subcommittees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, will yield tangible results, and our cooperation will reflect in the democratic development of each country. Holding such an important and prestigious event in Georgia enables our country to make its contribution to deepening common European cooperation. Allow me to underscore the conference's symbolic significance as Georgia, this year, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the first democratic republic. I would like to thank our international partners, the European Commission, and every EU institution sparing no effort for Georgia's democratic development, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and for the benefit of the overarching European community," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
The 15th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport was organized by the Council of Europe, EPAS, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.
As part of the ministerial, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, senior officials responsible for sport from the Council of Europe member states (ministers and deputy ministers of sport), and the leaders of international sport and nongovernmental organizations visited Tbilisi.
The 2018 Council of Europe Sport Ministerial is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the restoration of Georgia's independence.
Prime Minister's Press Office