Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has discussed with Chief Executive of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers Christoph Riess the possibility of holding the next congress of the association in Kyiv in 2012, on the eve of Ukraine's hosting the finals of the Euro 2012 European Football Championship.
"I would like to stress against that it is very important that the next congress of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers be held in Kyiv…" Yanukovych said.
He noted that the renewed infrastructure, including hotels and exhibition centres, would be constructed by the time of the hosting of the Euro 2012 tournament. In addition, according to Yanukovych, the holding of the congress of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers in Kyiv will mean that the state is attractive to free journalists and mass media, as well as it will be an important issue in the development of information market.
"For Ukraine this represents the recognition of the country as the democratic state," he said.
Riess, in turn, thanked the Ukrainian president for the proposal to hold the congress of the association in Kyiv. He also noted he had become acquainted with the infrastructure of Kyiv during last two days.
"We got a very positive impression," he said.
In addition, according to Riess, the holding of the congress in Kyiv on the eve of the football match is very important for the organization, as delegates and quests of the association will then have the possibility to cover the Euro 2012 championship.
