Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General of the National Olympic Committees in Central and Southeastern Europe

The meeting, next to the hosts of Montenegro, was attended by leaders of the National Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkey. The absence of representatives of Albania and Czech Republic was justified.

Participants of the meeting had the opportunity to share their experiences and impressions of the recent Olympic Games held in London, inform their colleagues about the performance and success of their team, and the difficulties they encountered in the preparation process. They analyzed the qualification systems, ticketing and other procedures. Another important topic of discussion was the progress in the project of organizing the European games, as the attendees were informed by  Zlatko Matesa, president of the Croatian Olympic Committee and Chairman of the European organization for the games in the EOC. The conference in Tivat was held right before the Executive Board of the European Olympic Committees in Andorra, where the conclusions of the conference will be presented.

Themes and conclusions of the meeting were presented at the press conference, which was, in addition to the President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee Dusan Simonovic, also attended by Mr. Dragan Kankaras, the Mayor of Tivat and members of the Executive Committee EOC: Janez Kocijancic, Zlatko Matesa and Octavian Morariu.

With expressed satisfaction that Montenegro has hosted such a meeting, the President of MOC Dusan Simonovic gave the press details of the meeting and noted that the importance of bringing together the heads of Olympic Committees from this part of Europe is best reflected in the joint participation in the wider Olympic family .

President Simonovic has used this opportunity to inform the public about the capital construction projects of Olympic Center in Tivat,  and Dragan Kankaras, Mayor of Tivat spoke about its importance and at what stage is it now.

"The location is determined, it will be the old barracks in Lepetane, where we will meet all the conditions for the preparation of sports teams with accommodation. In the last year and a half ago we adopted spatial planning documents, tenders for the urban project are in preperation, a study was done and submitted to the Government of Montenegro where all institutional framework is, for the making of the Olympic Center. We received support from all relevant parties at the state level. "- said Kankaras and stressed the support of the state as the key for the realization of this project.

The first European games should be held in year 2015, said the president of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Matesa: "First year of the European games is already defined, it is 2015. We expect participation of about 8.5 thousand top sportsmen and sportswomen from all 49 European countries, who will compete in 15 disciplines. The host city has not yet been determined, we will do so later this year. "

Oh what a particular idea and purpose of gathering the Presidents of Olympic Committees in this part of Europe is, spoke the president of the Slovenian Olympic Committee, Janez Kocijancic: "The essence of our collaboration is to devise a common approach and performance in the Olympic movement. Our country sports are very strong, but our influence in the Olympic movement is not so strong in proportion to either IOC or to the EOC. The fact is that the Olympic Games have become a competition between the richest and most developed countries, and we are doomed to the role of the participants. Our cooperation has yielded good results, our influence in the EOC is increasing and I hope it will increase in the IOC. "

Octavian Morariu, president of the Romanian Olympic Committee, conveyed the impression from the European sports forum held in Cyprus: "Ministers have mainly talked about the progress of sports at the basic level, particularly for tourism and the impact of sport on society. The topics were: funding sports on grass, volunteering and social inclusion through sport. "Morariu, Deputy of the EOC commission that monitors relations with the European Union, spoke about how important the support of the European Olympic Committees is to all the countries around Europe," European Olympic Committee has an office in Brussels, which works closely with the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. It serves as a support for all 49 Olympic Committees in Europe, regardless of whether they are from the EU or not, which is very important. "

The representatives of the Olympic Committee of Central and Southeastern Europe, during the second day of the conference, met with Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Igor Luksic.

Prime Minister Luksic expressed satisfaction with the visit, saying it was the confirmation of success of Montenegrin sport and also of good cooperation with the Montenegrin Olympic Committee.

"The results of our athletes over the past several years and recently held the Olympics are a cause for pride, but also for the continuation of incentives for development of sport in Montenegro. Today's meeting was a strong support for Montenegro and its athletes, "- said Luksic.

Prime Minister briefed the guests with what has been done in the area of ​​sports development in Montenegro, said that the government will remain committed to investing in sports infrastructure, support and training of youth and coaching staff.

President of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia Janez Kocijancic thanked the Prime Minister and the Montenegrin Olympic Committee for the welcome and cooperation that will soon result in the establishment of Olympic centers across Montenegro and said: "If there is a beautiful country with the right to talk about future cooperation, it is Montenegro."

"Cooperation in capital projects, joint participation in the IOC and the organization of the European games are the objectives of the regular meeting of Olympic Committees in Central and Southeast Europe. Impressions from Tivat are positive. Our guests are satisfied with our organization and I think we have passed the exam. Now with peace in our minds, we look forward to the following activities and everything that goes along with one Olympic story, "said the president of the MOC, Dusan Simonovic.