The decision made by the UEFA Executive
Committee on April 18, 2007, that awarded Ukraine and Poland with the
right to host the European football championship on their territory,
became a milestone in the history of both European football as well as
football of two Eastern European nations. This is the first precedent in
the history of the UEFA, when the organization of the European
championship of national football teams was placed upon Eastern European
nations. I would like to use this opportunity to confirm my strong
belief in the capability of our two good-neighborly countries to
organize the final tournament of the European Football Championship 2012
in due form.
Taking into consideration the vast scale of the European football
championship, held under the auspices of the UEFA in the 4 by 4 format
(four cities in Ukraine and four in Poland), and the huge impact that it
might have on the Ukrainian social life, great efforts are being made by
the Government of Ukraine on the satisfactory realization of the
projects specially developed for the preparations of this event.
First of all, the government of Ukraine has created a leading government
body, comprising of, the Committee on preparation and conducting of the
UEFA EURO 2012 headed by Victor Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine,
and the Coordination Bureau on Preparation of EURO 2012. Moreover 17
national coordinators, former deputy ministers from various spheres have
been appointed to assist the organization of EURO 2012 in the following
directions: transportation, construction and reconstruction of sport
objects, hotels, hostels, airports and highways, financial and legal
support, etc.
To improve the coordination in regards to Ukraine's preparation for the
championship, the consolidation of efforts, as well as the exchange of
experience, knowledge and ideas between Ukraine and Poland has taken
place. The neighboring countries have created inter-governmental work
groups, to deal with the following matters: Borders and customs
cooperation, Coordination of security for EURO 2012,
introduction of new international lines of communication, coordination
in medical services, cooperation in the sphere of economic and
investments, as well as in the sphere of PR, image forming and
commercials. In addition, the groups, which deal with creation of
friendly athletic competitions are organizing joint football matches,
exchange of youth and volunteers, cooperates in the spheres of
telecommunication, tourism and recreation.
We realize that renovation of the transport infrastructure, construction
of new hotels, modernization of airports, preparation of new stadiums
are some of the basic components of holding successful championship.
In this view, the National Special-Purpose Program on preparation and
conduction of a final tournament of EURO 2012 in Ukraine was approved by
the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on February 22, 2008. The general
budget of the Program is estimated around 16.85 billion euros, of which
2.85 billion euros - from the state budget and 1.65 billion euros - from
the local budgets, 12.35- from other sources (investors, private funds
etc.). The Program contains 21 tasks, based on the UEFA requirements and
corresponding government guarantees aiming to improve further
development of regional airports, modern highways and providing
high-quality services according to the European standards.
At the moment, a great number of sport and social infrastructure
projects are being carried out. First and foremost we shall name
reconstruction and construction of 6 big stadiums, 13 airports, 47
electric substations, 38 medical centers, as well as construction of
4204 km of roads, bridges and different types public transportation.
The significant amount of the aforementioned changes made up of projects
with participation of foreign investors. It is worth noting that some of
well-known Geek companies, such as Piraeus Bank Group, Prenecon and
Aktor, have also expressed their interest in investing in Ukraine, in
construction of toll highways, construction of metro in Donetsk and
Dnepropetrovsk, construction of the European railroad from Ukraine's-
Polish border to the city of Lviv, wind energy parks, etc.
We strongly believe that other Greek companies that already have
experience in the sphere of construction the objects for Athens Olympic
Games 2004 will also actively participate in development of the
infrastructure for the preparation of EURO 2012.
For EURO 2012 Ukraine is taking new steps towards potential investors.
Investing in projects for the 2012 Championship means that one is
provided with the possibility of attaining government guarantees for
separate projects and the simplification of licensing procedures. The
projects related to the construction of new hotels will be granted with
the possibility to not pay taxes and duties.
Ukraine's preparation for the European championship is a normal process
that does not have any problems and there are no doubts that all
projects for EURO 2012 will be completed in conformity with the European
standards, on time and in due form. Michele Platini, the President of
the UEFA and the director of EURO 2012 have repeatedly confirmed the
above stated. The current level of preparation for the European
championship will allow us to successfully deal with such an uneasy
task, both in a quality and quantity perspective.
Apart from this, I am solely convinced that the organization of this
tournament will become a catalyst for the further progress of Ukraine's
tourism sphere and infrastructure, as well as the development of
football in all of its aspects. This event will definitely provide great
opportunity for all fans and tourists around the world to visit our
wonderful country, and I hope all visitors will be fully satisfied and
receive positive impressions from both the football championship and the
beauty that the Ukrainian land has to offer.
