On 20 October 2000 president of European Olympic Committee Doctor Jacques Rogge and secretary general Mario Peskante arrived in Azerbaijan. President of Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev received the guests on the first day of their visit. Ilham Aliyev spoke about great impulse given to the development of Olympic Movement in the republic in the last few years, the works carried out.

On 21 October president of European Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and secretary general Mario Peskante were participating in the meeting with the teachers and students, reps of the Physical Culture and Sportive Academy. In the academy EOC president Jacques Rogge was conferred with the rank of Honorable Doctor. Dear guest was given Honorable doctor mantle and diploma. At the end of the ceremony Mr. Jacques Rogge made a speech. He named one of the key goals to visit Azerbaijan together with secretary general Mario Peskante to study the conditions of the sport in the country and Olympic Movement, to develop the ties and cooperation between Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee and EOC. Jacques Rogge expressed his satisfaction on the occasion of being awarded with the rank of Honorable Doctor of the academy and presumed it as a gift presented to the EOC.

On the same day solemn ceremony of Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee's new Olympic Complex took place. In the ceremony Azeri President Heydar Aliyev, guests arrived in our republic president of European Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, secretary general of the EOC Mario Peskante and other officials were present.

On the same day president of the republic Heydar Aliyev received president of the EOC Jacques Rogge and secretary general Mario Peskante. In the reception the views on the development ways of the Olympic Movement in Azerbaijan, turning of the international ties of the National Olympic Committee to the new stage were exchanged.

As a whole, president of the republic Mr. Heydar Aliyev has great deserves in the development of the sport and Olympic Movement in Azerbaijan. These services cover the whole circle of the international sportive and Olympic ties along with the sportive creative works in the country, care and attention to the sportsmen, health and physical culture of the population. In the last few years the meetings and reception of Azeri President with the president of International Amateur Boxing Association Anwar Chawdhry, president of European Amateur Boxing Association Emel Jechev and all the members of Executive committee of the Association, president of European Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and secretary general of the committee Mario Peskante have had great impact on the strengthening of the international ties with the sportive organizations throughout republic and National Olympic Committee.