First European Games were success for Azerbaijan, MPs say

Asim Mollazade, chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party of Azerbaijan and a member of the Milli Maclis (parliament), said that the European Games were an "historic” event which Azerbaijan used to demonstrate its culture and hospitality to the world. The Games also showed that Azerbaijan is in a position to organize high-level events like these,” he said. "I think it was a success. It proved that Azerbaijan is part of Europe,” Mollazade said. He added that the Games will help develop the tourism industry in Azerbaijan. 

Aydin Mirzazade, a member of parliament from the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party, also thinks that the Games were a "big success” for Azerbaijan. "It was a very hard and responsible job to organize such a world-class event like this in just two and a half years. Azerbaijan coped with the task,” Mirzazade said. "Another positive side of the event was that it gave the world another opportunity to learn about Azerbaijan. The world discovered Azerbaijan once again. No one now will have to look it up on the map to find out where Azerbaijan is.”

Oqtay Haqverdiyev, an economics expert based in Baku, said that construction of new venues for the Games was a positive development for the country’s sports.

"Interest in sports has grown significantly in Azerbaijan in the past five to six years,” Haqverdiyev said. "Some people questioned the rationale for spending so much money on the Games. I do not share these concerns. Azerbaijan’s per capita foreign currency reserves are 9,000 US dollars. This compares with 2,500 US dollars in Russia. Azerbaijan has the largest per capita FX reserves in the Commonwealth of Independent States.”

Construction of new venues for the Games also created "thousands” of new jobs, Haqverdiyev said. 

Zahid Oruc, a lawmaker from the Ana Vatan (Motherland) party, said the European Games destroyed stereotypes about Azerbaijan. They also helped Azerbaijan find out its true friends and enemies.