Armenia Olympic head not going to European Games in Baku

Publisher	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date	12 June 2015
Cite as	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Armenia Olympic head not going to European Games in Baku, 12 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc50721.html [accessed 17 September 2023]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

June 12, 2015

Armenia's Olympic Committee president will not attend the opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games in Baku on June 12.

Gagik Tsarukian is not expected to travel to Azerbaijan for the 16-day event amid tense relations between the neighbors.

The two countries are at odds over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan.

European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hicke tried to play down Tsarukian's absence, saying the businessman was otherwise occupied.

Armenia has, however, decided to send athletes to participate in the European Games.

They are expected to get a cool reception during the opening ceremony later on June 12.

Based on reporting by Reuters