Ukraine starts free hosting project for Euro 2012May 21, 2012 - 20:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A group of Ukrainians on Monday, May 21 announced a project to provide free accommodation, translation and other services to foreign football fans attending next month's European Championship, AP reported. The Friendly Ukraine initiative unites several Web sites and offers such things as rooms, airport pickups and guided tours to football fans free-of-charge. Organizers say accommodation may be modest, but it will come from the heart and will be free. ''Ukraine is a friendly country, Ukraine is a hospitable country,'' said program coordinator Viktoria Svitlova. ''We are changing the image of the Ukrainian people.'' UEFA President Michel Platini has called on the government to stop ''bandits and crooks'' from ripping off fans with exorbitant accommodation prices. There aren't enough hotel rooms and some fans will have to live in camps and Soviet-era student dormitories. Critics worry such publicity will damage Ukraine's reputation even as officials hope the championships will attract tourists beyond the sports event. ''Positive reviews of Ukraine are very scarce these days, we want to change that,'' said Ihor Zavilinsky, whose volunteers will take fans on free city tours and provide translation services. Euro 2012, jointly held with Poland, begins June 8. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |