The unique invitations, handed out symbolically at 20:15, themselves were made from a single piece of antique Azeri carpet and included a special video message from Hickey inside.

The opening speech to an audience in a venue that hosted the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, including Chef de Missions who had been attending a seminar organised by Baku 2015, was given by Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmar Mammadyarov.

Other guests included members of the European diplomatic corps, Baku 2015 officials and sponsors, stakeholders, ambassadors, senior representatives from Azeri National Sports Federations and international media.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov delivered the keynote speech to the audience looking forward to Baku 2015 ©Baku 2015

"We are incredibly proud to be hosting the Games and to have been entrusted with making the European Olympic Committees' dream a reality," Mammadyarov told the audience.  

"The inaugural European Games are not only a chance for athletes to write their names into the history books, they also represent a chance for our nation to host a unique event that will set the standard for future European Games.

"We may be considered a young country, but we are keen to contribute to the progress being made in an inclusive and modern Europe.

"We intend to ensure this event plays a role in assisting the development of sporting, social and economic progress in Azerbaijan."

National Olympic Committees received their invitations to the inaugural European Games in Baku during a special ceremony in Buta Hall ©Baku 2015

Hickey once again praised organisers at the end of a day which had started off with a spectacular firework display on Baku Boulevard shortly after midnight and also included the announcement of BP as the Games' second major sponsor. 

"Baku and Azerbaijan have grabbed the attention of the sports world, especially since the EOC selected them as hosts for the inaugural European Games," he said.

"Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its total commitment to staging an outstanding event next summer, and that can only strengthen the European Games product.

"It is great to see an ambitious young nation place sport so firmly at the heart of its long-term development, and it is great for the EOC to be playing a role in that strategy.

"Baku 2015 promises so much for the future of Azerbaijan and the future of European sport. I have no doubt it will be a hugely successful event."

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