ODESA, JANUARY, 29th, 2009, CONTEXT-PRICERNOMORIE – The First Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olexandr Lavrynovych believes Odesa to have great chances to host EURO 2012, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

As the Administration of Information at Odesa City Council stressed, Olexandr Lavrynovych said that yesterday during his talk with Odesa City Mayor Eduard Gurvits.

“Odesa is among priority cities in this question. This is the city able to attract European spectator’s attention by its infrastructure, and the beauty of architecture in the downtown. Now special attention should be paid to building of sports objects and traffic interchange”, — O. Lavrynovych emphasized.

Mr. Lavrynovych promised Verkhovna Rada will help the city authorities in solving hot problems concerning EURO 2012 “that want interference of central authorities”.

In his interview to the journalists, the Vice Speaker expressed his surprise on the actions of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine concerning ASC Stadium.

“The trials are now over. The stadium belongs to the city, however it has not been assigned to the city in practice. This is the question to the Minister of Defense and the Premier: why aren’t they taking the necessary measures and if they are – it contradicts the will of law and the citizens of Odesa”, — he added.