Council of Europe to aid Qatar with security for 2022 World Cup
Strasbourg (France) March 26 (IANS) The Council of Europe and Qatar on Monday signed a technical cooperation agreement to secure Qatari stadiums hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a budget of 600 000 euros ($744 546) and to comply with an European convention on sporting event security enacted last year.
The agreement was signed in the French city of Strasbourg between the Council of Europe s deputy secretary general Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni and the Qatari representative to the council Brigadier Ibrahim al-Mohannadi reports Efe.
"The Council of Europe s unique legal instruments are pivotal in today s sports world. We are glad that our normative action is considered so relevant by the State of Qatar " Battaini-Dragoni said.
The initiative aims to ensure Qatar can safely host both the World Cup in 2022 and the IAAF Athletics World Championships in 2019 by adhering to the European Convention on Integrated Safety Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports events.
In a statement the Council of Europe detailed that the two sides would co-operate on "fact finding visits comparative analysis of legal frameworks information seminars and workshops strengthening safety management international police cooperation and dialogue with supporters."
Al-Mohannadi stated: "The safety and security of all participants of the FIFA World Cup Qatar is of the utmost importance to us " adding that Qatar aimed to provide "a unified approach to safety security and servicing during the tournament."
Effective November 1 2017 the convention has been signed by 30 European Council member states while six countries have ratified it.
--IANS
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