THE EURO GAINS ALTITUDE.
The Ukrainian mass media continued analyzing results of recent visit of UEFA inspectors. We shall remind on August, 22 their final session in which also took part vice-premier Ivan Vasunik and the head of the FFU Executive management «Euro-2012» Ivan Fedorenko took place in the House of football.
The publication on official web page FFU «UEFA experts: dynamic of Ukraine is positive » (ffu.org.ua, 24.08.08) which the first has told about the general content of the meeting, has set the tone to the statements of media. In particular, it has been noted, that conclusions of “auditors” sounded optimistically and hopefully. Within two last months all the Ukrainian structures, involved in process of preparation of a football forum, have done great work which has brought significant changes to the best in all key aspects.
The majority of editions, being guided by the version of FFU site, have simply reprinted this material, or have retold it close to the text (PRESSONG, UKRINFORM, “Pro Football”, UNIAN, “Novosti-Ukraine”, LigaBusinessInform, “Obozrevatel”, “Ukrrudprom”, ua-football.com, Sport.com.ua, Football.ua, Gazeta po Kievski, Kievskiye Vedomosti, Komanda,Sport-Express in Ukraine, Komitet12.org.ua, “2000″, Sportivnaya gazeta,Den etc., 26 - 29.08.08).
Regional mass media have diluted a report with local well-known people. For example, site Zadonbass.org has quoted mayor of Donetsk Alexander Lukyanchenko: «Experts do not have any special questions to a course of preparation of the city territory». On its data, experts will prepare the report until September 15. (26.08.08) In the meantime director of department concerning Euro-2012 in Odessa Andrey Terziev has declared, « In opinion of the UEFA experts on a lot of the reasons Odessa is one of the leaders of preparation for Euro 2012. The general estimation of city’s preparation as a whole is positive (UKRINFORM, 26.08.08).
To summarize applications of inspectors has tried the head of the national agency Euro-2012 Yevgeniy Chervonenko who has declared, that « It does not give us the base to approve, that during helding of Strategic committee of UEFA in Nyon last doubts concerning carrying out of the championship in Ukraine and Poland on September, 27th will be dispelled».(Press-service of National agency, UNIAN, 26.08.08)
Now it is necessary to dispel all doubts about what meeting Yevgeniy Alfredovich spoke about, who, to a word, at meeting of experts and the Ukrainian representatives was not present. Whether Chervonenko had in view, the Observant committee of Euro-2012, which will gather on September 18, whether - the Executive committee of the UEFA appointed for September 25. For other dates of the UEFA does not plan the actions connected with Euro-2012.
The positive in present estimations of the majority of mass media sharply contrasts with decadent moods, which prevailed in publications a month-other ago. It is a true attribute of “recover” of a situation if optimistic motives have everywhere begun to sound in the Ukrainian press, which was having a soft corner in the heart for minor tones of information gamma. However, it is still far to a harmony of sounding by domestic mass media. As an example - disaccording performance of Lvov «Regional agency of analysis and information « Gal-info».
In the publication dated August, 28 it has stated, that «The UEFA estimated risk level of the construction of stadiums in Ukraine to Euro-2012: in Lvov and Kiev the high risk is not liquidated till now. Construction of a stadium in Lvov, in opinion of the UEFA experts, has a high degree of risk for some reasons, which are still in place. There is a speech on it in «The Plan of action concerning an infrastructure of the UEFA of Euro-2012», backed by general secretary of the UEFA David Taylor. Concerning other places in Kiev, has not been solved a question of a political consensus as to the cost price, base requirements and a level of ambitions of the stadium. (Galinfo.com.ua, 28.08.08)
Let us emphasize, that publication date is August, 28. In addition, by then in Lvov concrete works on erection of arena have already begun, from the local budget means, necessary for initial works are allocated. As to Kiev the contract with a design group from German GMP office signed on August 7, cost of reconstruction stipulated; all questions with demolition of «Troitskiy» solved.
In fact given “Plan” dated on July 9, and recent applications of inspectors of UEFA testified to its successful realization. To give out-of-date data in all good faith before an important September session of Executive committee of UEFA is either malicious intention, or scandalous non-professionalism. In any case, such actions obviously do not promote realization of Ukrainian-Polish ambitions.
EURO-2012. PRESIDENTIAL ATTENTION
Meanwhile experts mark, that optimistic conclusions of UEFA experts specify more likely their satisfaction by dynamics of developing process - after comparing present state of affairs with one that was several months ago (PRESSING, 26.08.08). Undoubtedly, in UEFA they count on the further growth of rates. Certainly, it is obvious and to the Ukrainian higher leaders.
President Victor Yushchenko - personally or through authorized representatives - does not miss a case to emphasize priority of the project-2012 for the country.
«The president of Ukraine has allocated 4 priorities of social and economic development of the country on 2009. The first assistant Secretary of President Alexander Shlapak has declared about it at the briefing, - the correspondent of RBC-Ukraine informs.
- The second priority defined by the President, - preparation for Euro-2012. According to Shlapak, the state program on 2009 will demand financing at a rate of 5.6 billion hryvnjas. «All these means should be allocated up to the cent », - he has told. (Rbc.ua, 29.08.08)
As it’s known, the report is beeng prepared now by the UEFA experts. Observant committee of Euro-2012, consisting of the UEFA тоp-management, the head of the national federations of Ukraine and Poland will be able to familiarize with it on September 18. In a meeting in Nyon representatives of the governments of both countries and also Ukrainian National agency of Euro-2012 and Polish agency, PL.2012 (having no right for voting) will participate. There will also be developed recommendations for important Executive committee of the UEFA, which takes place on September 25-26th.
However, during mentioned session in the House of football on August, 22nd UEFA experts, brought to a focus to following steps, looked in the future - autumn and winter of this year, 2009, up to summer 2010. That can indirectly mean: the decision of Executive committee should be in favor of Ukraine and Poland.
The Ukrainian authorities already show confidence that after September meeting our country remains the host of Euro. So, assistant of the Secretary of the President Oksana Slusarenko considers various decisions of the UEFA Executive committee exclusively in such way: «It can happen so, that the conjuncture of cities will be changed, and someone becomes the host, someone in reserve » (Ukrinform.ua, 27.08.08). Slusarenko has told about the nearest plans: «The main task for today is Dnepropetrovsk stadium opening on September, 14. This day also a session of Coordination council before the President is planned».
The confidence of authorities indirectly proves to be true by the further plans of the President. According to Slusarenko, «in the beginning of October carrying out of coordination concil with foreign investors is planned with the President.Our basic problem is construction of objects and financing, in particular, attraction of investment streams ». (Ukrinform.ua, 27.08.08)
In fact, fast attraction of investment remains the most acute problem. Without serious changes at the legislative level, necessary still the day before yesterday, realization of the financial plan of preparation for Euro-2012 looks problematic, if at all possible. These questions - again to the parliament, until now not managed to isolate a package of bills of Euro-2012 from a context of political squabbles. Victor Yushchenko expressed his hope, that at the future session of the Verkhovna Rada similar misunderstanding will be possible to avoid.
STADIUMS OF EURO-2012. QUESTIONS TO LVOV
Despite of motions, the highest risks of the project-2012 are still connected with preparation of stadiums and the airports. About air gates- below, for now we shall note, that nothing should prevent the coming on September 14 an opening of the first stadium of Euro-2012 - in Dnepropetrovsk. Two weeks before opening it’s necessary to lay asphalt and a tile, to improve a lawn around the construction. Here obligations of city on reconstruction spaces around stadium have remained outstanding. There is no either parking for cars, or equipped fan-zone, the shady squares promised by the Dnepropetrovsk authority (CP in Ukraine », 27.08.08).
As Ukrinform says, reconstruction of «Chernomorets» Odessa stadium is actively conducted. According to the head of department of architecture and construction of the City Council Vladimir Kolokolnikov, «except for reconstruction of arena where, by the way, tribunes dismantling and separating of constructions goes at full speed, the project stipulates construction of a hotel for sportsmen and office-center, a 4-storied parking. Tribunes will settle down in two circles. A roof will be made of transparent glass and the special membrane, capable to pass 15-20% of sunlight that will allow a grass to grow naturally. An estimated cost of the project makes $120 million. The project belongs to well-known German firm «FIEBIGER» which has already designed and constructed 16 stadiums all over the world». (Ukrinform, 28.08.08).
In the meantime, Kharkov city council has allowed the municipal enterprise «Regional sports complex «Metallist» to take credit on 152 million hryvnjas to reconstruct the stadium. Officials consider the most probable creditor Alexander Jaroslavskiy of UkrSibbank to whom football club «Metallist» belongs. Of course the burden will lay down on the regional budget, - vice-governor Sergey Storozhenko says. “But we have municipal enterprises and the ground areas which can be put on sale».
Let us say according to the State program reconstruction should to be carried out due to the investor - football club «Metallist» which has undertaken to enclose 120 million hryvnjas. However, city council thinks this investment won’t be enough. Officials have decided to address to Ministry with the request in addition to allocate 262.1 million hryvnjas untill 2010, but then accepted the credit not to break terms of preparation. (Business capital, 25.08.08)
However, as a whole in Kharkov as well as Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odessa, a situation with arenas is safe enough. Sign of readiness of the main objects of mega tournament are Lvov and Kiev.
In the capital business is going better each week. Dismantle of “superfluous” NSC approaches to its finish. In the weekly review of a “Pressing” site it is informed that «workers have started dismantling the second lighting out of four. The platform is already removed from a support. Press-lodge is half-dismantled. The bottom level is also practically disassembled, it’s necessary «to clear up» some sectors. Concrete steps on which constructions designed for fastening individual seats have been established, available to export». (Pressing.net.ua, 26.08.08) We shall add, that according to UNIAN, «Holding company plans to finish dismantling works on NSC till September, 5th» (Unian.net, 29.08.08).
“Pressing” marks, that demolition rate of Troitskiy centre was accelerated also.
«For the last week the significant part of a design from Krasnoarmeyskaya is destroyed. In addition, they have started from NSC. There one more miracle-machine has arrived for help. In general, for five weeks dismantle has a typed prompt turn. However, there are sites, which workers did not touch at all - for example, from a courtyard of hotel «Sports» or from «Zhilyanskaya». (pressing.net.ua, 26.08.08).
In the meantime Taiwanese Archasia company which has won the first tender for “Olympic” reconstruction, but has been then discharged by the Ministry of sports, promises to complain to WTO. «If the Ukrainian government isn’t capable of solving this issue, then a right for Archasia on carrying out the project will become the matter of international dispute which can stipulate bad consequences for promotion of NSC reconstruction project», - was declared by the press-service of the company. (Unian.net, 28.08.08)
However, experts mark, that Taiwanese have little chances to be satisfied. The site «Penal spot» names as the last hope of unlucky architects - Yevgeniy Chervonenko, the head of National Agency, who earlier actively lobbied interests of the firm. «Now through Archasia he tries to blackmail Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports with courts, international scandals, references to WTO. Most likely nothing of the standard set of PR tools will do any help. German GMP company which isn’t from shy ten also will manage to protect the lawfully signed contract», - considers the site.
In Lvov the situation is more serious. On the one hand - spadework on erection of stadium has already begun, on the other - the investor is not found until now, and the design agreement with the «Alpine-Bay» company is not signed yet. As to the agreement the deputy of the City Council Andrey Belous has declared: «The project received by municipal council is printed in German, the Ukrainian variant is not available. The document’s volume is over 400 pages. It’s promised, that it will be translated within 2 weeks». (Galinfo.com.ua, 27.08.08))». (Galinfo.com.ua, 27.08.08)
In the meantime, in a kind of absence of the investor the City Council has allocated for civil work to year 80 million hryvnjas. In opinion of the mayor Andrey Sadovoy, «If Lvov constructs the stadium cost of the ground around it will be essentially increased. Therefore now it is favorable to begin construction from budget funds and to sell the right for a superstructure of territory near stadium». Mayor has explained, that it has been compelled to go for such step, as «some investors wanted half the city instead» (Portal.lviv.ua, 28.08.08).
Questions of construction of arena rose on a round table in edition of the newspaper «the High lock» in which took part journalists, experts, and government reps. «Participants of discussion agree that the worst variant, - to finance construction for city means, or to take them on credit. They also agree, that the best would be to build from the state budget, but as it has appeared, capital officials are not too inclined to share money with regions. City officials say that even if it’s necessary to build for the money, 700-800 million hryvnjas of charges are not to compare to what will come as investment. Only state inflowings on building and repair of roads will give over 7 milliard hryvnjas not taking into account untwisting of Lvov as tourist center and arrival of western businessmen. But sceptics assure - it will be difficult to find such money in the granaries, and Lvov has debts almost on 400 million hryvnjas» (Portal.lviv.ua, 29.08.08).
From the above-stated it’s possible to draw an unequivocal conclusion: at any laying out construction of stadium will bring to Lvov long-term financial benefit. Even if it’s necessary to spend from the local budget, expenses will repeatedly pay back owing to direct profits on carrying out of tournament, and to investments into other branches. Whereas without stadium the city will automatically lose billions of potential direct and indirect incomes.
AIRPORTS FOR EURO-2012. PLANS ARE CARRIED OUT
As “Command” informs, Peter Hampson, the UEFA expert concerning the airports has noted, that the plan of airports’ reconstruction is realized without delays. In particular, projects of reconstruction of runways and terminals in all cities, which are included into the Ukrainian application, are developed. In turn, vice-prime minister Ivan Vasunik has informed, that in a year the government has allocated for preparation of the airports almost $250 million, and there shouldn’t be any financing problems. (The Command, 26.08.08)
Works on “Zhulyany” airport reconstruction have begun. «The winner of the tender- «Pivden’zakhidshlyakhbud», has already started installation of bituminous concrete factory, necessary for carrying out construction-works. Airport works in accordance with new timetable. Service of flights now occurs only from 6 to 10 and from 5 p.m till 10 p.m. Repair works are conducted in other time,- informs site of Ministry of Transport (Mintrans.gov.ua,28.08.08)»,
Meanwhile, as Ukrinform informs, «New Systems АМ» Ltd, which is part of Alexander Yaroslavskiy DCH group, has begun reconstruction of «Kharkov» airport. The investor intends to enclose in $118,9 million». The same investor as writes «Real estate Bulletin», applies for the Odessa airport. Also among applicants is the name of one more Kharkov firm «Alpary», joint-stock company «Airport of the Vein» (Austria), EQT Infrastructure Limited (about. Guernsey), Open Company «the Cheetah plus» (Odessa), CE Power Holdings (Cyprus) and ELECNOR S.A. (Spain). It’s necessary to enclose in reconstruction not less then $250 million.
Until September 15, «Ukraeroproekt» should finish designing the airport in Lvov, for the sake of it all current works were postponed. In the near future Ministry of Transport should declare the international tender for the project of the new terminal, and by October, 3 concession conditions should be presented. Complete construction of «International airport «Lvov» is planned to be finished in 2011 («КP in Ukraine», 26.08.08).
EURO-2012. REGIONAL ASPECT
DONETSK. The Donetsk area is almost ready for carrying out Euro-2009 for youth. Sergey Dergunov, the first vice-president of state administration has told about it: « Representatives of UEFA have familiarized with sports base, accommodation conditions for teams, have examined training complexes «the Miner» and «the Metallurg», a hotel complex«Victoria», and also «Olympic» base. UEFA Delegates have already given a positive mark to a condition of the airport reconstruction and transport infrastructure development». (Ukrinform, 28.08.08)
Nevertheless, according to local authorities, financing for Euro-2012 preparation is not enough. «To find financing sources is hard, - says Yuriy Makarnitsky, the chief of the City Council department for Euro-2012 projects, - basically it’s long-term and complex. We prepare offer catalogues; we meet with potential investors. In October an investment forum will be held. Probably, after the forum construction will go more actively» (pressing.net.ua, 26.08.08).
DNEPROPETROVSK. In an interview the head of regional football federation Andrey Pavelko told to «Command» about the impressions from two visits of Dnepropetrovsk delegation to Switzerland during Euro-2008. «This was very useful experience. We got possibility to see what we need to focus on. Both times representative delegation included mayor of city Ivan Kulichenko, and also heads of various urban services (sports, architecture, transport, municipal services, military and medicine).We were given passes, allowing to enter anywhere. We have visited media-centers, volunteer camp, villages of sponsors, and the fan-zones».
ODESSA. « Ukrzheldortrans plans to introduce to Euro-2012 movement of structures with a speed up to 200 km per hour on a «Moscow-Kiev» route. For realization of the project the special passenger rolling stock will be got, the special depot and items of maintenance service is constructed. Improvement of passengers service will be served with introduction of booking and sales tickets system through the Internet », - informs Ukrinform (28.08.08).
About 70 members of the West-Ukrainian branch European business-association from Ukraine, Germany, Austria, the Great Britain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands have discussed with Lvov authorities economic and regulatory problems in light of preparations for Euro-2012. They brought to a focus that only imperious support of each project will allow to simplify its realization process. Such approach makes active pulling both external, and internal financial streams. With this purpose city council plans to organize investment agency basic task of which will be complex help to the investor» (Ukrinform, 28.08.08).
From the above-stated conclusion is drawn that one and a half year later after winning Euro-2012 tender regional authorities gradually come to idea that any construction should begin with the investment research. Last summer was offered the set of ambitious projects with financing prospect rather fuzzy, this time last year bitter experience teaches to mind the fact that first of all cities should be open to investors.