2024-04-14 01:45:16
The RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports issued a statement regarding the burning of the Azerbaijani flag by Armenian designer Aram Nikolyan during the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championship at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Concert Complex in Yerevan.
In the statement of the RA Ministry of Education and Culture, it is stated:
“As the hosting party of the 2023 European Weightlifting Championship, we have received with serious concern the incident related to the state flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the opening ceremony of the championship on April 14. The incident, which was immediately resolved during the ceremony and did not hinder the natural course in any way, does not express the position of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia and is reprehensible from the point of view of sports values and the universal principles of fair play.
At the same time, we note with regret the decision made by the Azerbaijani team to leave the championship and add that there were no problems related to security, since the government of the Republic of Armenia has ensured and continues to ensure all security standards for the delegations participating in the championship. The government remained true to its previous commitment to provide additional security measures for Azerbaijani athletes. This is evidenced by the fact that the Azerbaijani athletes were safe and secure in Armenia for almost two days, and after taking the decision to leave the championship, the relevant services ensured their safe departure.
While preparing for this championship, the Republic of Armenia has implemented large-scale work and significant investments. Accommodation, training, competition conditions, technical support, TV show, unprecedented opening ceremony were highly appreciated by our international partners. With many records, this European Championship held in Armenia can confidently compete with the organization of world championships. I am sure that after the end of the tournament, we will be able to record that Armenia can claim to organize bigger tournaments, including the World Championship.
RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports
Yerevan, April 17, 2023.”