The EOC Coordination Commission held talks with Minsk 2019 organisers today ©NOC RB

Plans to include archery and weightlifting on the programme for the 2019 European Games in Minsk were discussed on the opening day of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Coordination Commission visit to the Belorussian capital today.

The Commission held meetings with Andrei Astashevich, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (NOC RB), and Belarus’ Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko, on day one according to the country's official news agency BelTA.

Leading the EOC delegation is Coordination Commission head Spyros Capralos, appointed to the position in January.

Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, has been joined by the Commission's deputy chairman Zlatko Mateša, the former Prime Minister of Croatia and now head of the Croatian Olympic Committee. 

EOC senior sports consultant Pierce O'Callaghan and EOC European Games liaison officer Steve Scott are also part of the Commission.

EOC financial manager Giovanni de Angelis and EOC commercial adviser Andrew Craig complete the delegation.

BelTA has reported that Matesa confirmed plans to include archery and weightlifting in the sporting programme following today's discussions.

Archery was part of the programme at the last European Games, at Baku in 2015, but weightlifting was not. 

Andrei Astashevich, third from left, and Alexander Shamko, second from left, were part of the Minsk 2019 delegation at the meeting today with the European Olympic Committees Coordination Commission ©NOC RB
Andrei Astashevich, third from left, and Alexander Shamko, second from left, were part of the Minsk 2019 delegation at the meeting today with the European Olympic Committees Coordination Commission ©NOC RB

"We are doing one thing and we are on the same page with the Belarusians on many matters" he said, according to BelTA.

"Today we have discussed sports issues and, following Belarus' initiative, we plan to include weightlifting into the programme of the European Games.

"Archery can also make part of the European Games 2019.

"The total number of athletes at the forthcoming competitions should not exceed 4,000."

Also discussed today were the terms of the contract on hosting the event and the operation of the directorate.

"The EOC is extremely happy that there will be close cooperation between the EOC, the Belarusian Government, the NOC RB and the Minsk 2019 Organising Committee, as this will guarantee delivery of a top-level event," Capralos said.

The EOC Coordination Commission is set to visit the venues to be used for the European Games, including the Minsk Arena, the Chizhovka Arena, the Dinamo Stadium, Football Manege, the Minsk Sports Palace and the Palova Arena.

Minsk was confirmed as host of the second Games at the EOC General Assembly in the city last October.

Capralos also led the EOC Coordination Commission for Baku 2015.