Throughout two and a half years, Baku has achieved the impossible by creating an excellent infrastructure for the First European Games, Pieter De Crem, the Belgian secretary of state for foreign trade, told Trend.

He made the remarks Apr. 30 during the Azerbaijani-Belgian Business Forum held in Baku.

De Crem said the organization of such an event will have a positive impact on Azerbaijan.

“Firstly, it is a good sports challenge. Secondly, it will attract a lot of tourists to Azerbaijan, which will lead to even greater popularity of your country in Europe,” he said.

De Crem went on to add that organizing of an event of such a scale is a very responsible work.

“This is a very difficult and responsible task,” he said. “But in case of success, and I am sure it will be so, Azerbaijan will be known as a country able to hold any large-scale events. So, I see only advantages for Azerbaijan from holding of these competitions.”

The secretary of state also said the upcoming European Games cause great interest in Belgium.

“In late May – early June, a delegation of 120 people will arrive in Baku to get familiar with the organization of the competition and cooperation in this area. We’d like to learn from Azerbaijan’s experience in this sphere. I expect that our athletes will take an active part in the upcoming Games and return home with medals,” said De Crem.

Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place on June 12-28, 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.