Warner Bros. Consumer Products was selected to manage EURO 2012 licensing programs and other national teams’ competitions under the UEFA aegis until 2013

Earlier UEFA has announced that Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) was selected to implement the license for UEFA EURO 2012 as well as for the European Youth Championship 2011 and 2013 and the Women's EURO 2013.

UEFA and WBCP work on creative development, including mascot and art programs, as well as coordinate the process of selecting licensees and official retailers.

UEFA Events is a subsidiary of UEFA, which was created to manage and conduct commercial transactions and activities of the European Football Union. UEFA Events is also responsible for the formation of media rights, sponsorship, licensing and hospitality provided to all professional competition involving national teams and clubs, as well as relationship management with all associative commercial partners.

The new five-star hotel opened in Kharkiv

The new five-star hotel Kharkiv Palace which was opened on December 13 will start operating to full capacity and receiving guests as of 1 February 2012. The 13-storey building with 180 rooms will serve as a mini-headquarters of UEFA.

The main investor of object’s construction, Oleksandr Yaroslavskyy, has said that thanks to the newly built hotel, Kharkiv will manage to compensate the shortage of five-star hotels. "If there was a contest for the best Euro-2012 hotel this object would have been the winner for sure. The budget of the hotel equals 126 million dollars, it has 180 rooms, and its area is 24,000 square metres. The UEFA family will be accommodated here during the 2012 continental tournament," he said.

Kharkiv Palace has five restaurants, five conference rooms, a spa, a gym and a pool. The hotel offers rooms of five different classes from deluxe to Presidential suite. The price of daily accommodation ranges from 1,600 to 6,000 hryvnyas.
 

The new high-speed Hyundai trains will make the way between Ukrainian cities shorter

Guests of the future 2012 European Football Championship will be the first ones to feel the advantage of the new high-speed Hyundai trains. The first train of Korean production will be handed over to Ukraine as early as in December of this year.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov, commenting on the train, said:

"Ukrzaliznytsya (Ukrainian railway authority) will take part in handing over the first specimen of the Hyundai train from South Korea together with Ukrainian journalists in late December 2011".

The first trains will start operating on regular railway routes in May 2012, and the timetable will be known in April. Borys Kolesnikov has put the emphasis on obvious advantages. "For example, the approximate time presently needed to reach Lviv from Donetsk is 26 hours. Starting from May 2012, the trip to Lviv will take only 11 hours, with one change in Kiev. The interval between high-speed trains arriving from Donetsk and heading for Lviv will be not more than one hour," he said.
 
Please note that Ukrzaliznytsya will receive 10 new inter-regional Hyundai electric trains in order to introduce high-speed railway service in Ukraine. Six electric trains will be supplied before Euro-2012 and will interconnect four host cities (Kiev, Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk).

Lviv stadium Arena Lviv is now open

On 29 October 2011 took place ceremonial opening of a new football stadium in Lviv which was built specially for Euro 2012. Stadium tribunes welcomed more than 30 thousand visitors. With the opening of Arena Lviv Ukraine has passed the last of the four stadiums hosting the final matches of the UEFA European Football Championship 2012.

Head of Lviv Oblast State Administration Michael Tsymbalyuk predicts that the final construction of the stadium Arena Lviv and its infrastructure will be completed before 1 January 2012.

Lviv Oblast State Administration, commenting on the stadium construction, said:

"What affects the game and security has already been done. All works regarding infrastructure arrangement of the stadium, as well as a bypass road should be completed in November and December".

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to allocate $ 1.1 milliard for the European Football Championship 2012 preparations

The Cabinet of Ministers has reached a decision to allocate 1 056 782 UAH for the European Football Championship 2012 preparations.
These funds should be allocated from the stabilization fund balance as of 1st January, but in the case of shortage - from the proceeds derived from the government securities placement.
Earlier it was reported that the Cabinet had already allocated 416 million UAH for the European Football Championship 2012 preparations in January-March.
 

UEFA executive committee named 4 cities of Ukraine, which to host Euro-2012 – Tymoshenko

UEFA executive committee named 4 cities of Ukraine, which will host Euro-2012.
According to an UNIAN correspondent, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko said this at the news conference in the Cabinet of Ministers.
According to her words, UEFA executive committee have approved  Kiev, Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk as host cities for Euro-2012.
“Moreover, Kiev is defined as a city, where final competitions will take place”, said the Prime Minister.
 

Volodymyr Lytvyn signed The Law of Ukraine On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2009

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 13.10.09, signed The Law of Ukraine On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2009 and other Laws concerning assignment of 9,8 billions UAH on preparation of EURO-2012.The Verkhovna Rada Press Service reported.

The main target of such a disclosure was to provide society with the VR precise position On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine posting it's texts on the official website of the Verkhovna Rada and it's publication under the signature of the Speaker in the newspaper Voice of Ukraine, press Service reported.

The Amendments to the Part 4 of the Law on State Budget of Ukraine for 2009 are set out in the new edition, forseeing excess of estimated revenues over The National Bank expenditures of no less than 9.8 billions UAH, including 3.4 billions UAH  appropriation for the first 6 months.

Recently, Yushchenko imposed a veto on the first VR attempt adopting the EURO-2012 budget in the rate of 9,8 billions. On 21 August VR overcame the veto of the Pesident imposed previously leading it's successeful re-examination on the 13th of October.

Minister of Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine Yuri Pavlenko informed that preparing and fixations of Olimpiyskiy Stadium will satisfy terms and specifications of UEFA

Minister of Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine Yuri Pavlenko informed that preparing and fixations of Olimpiyskiy Stadium will satisfy terms and specifications of UEFA.

“All preparations will be made precisely in time in accordance to the schedule of UEFA. Financing is made without delays” – said Pavlenko.

He also promised that last 12 demands of UEFA would be inspected on the Ministry Collegium.

Besides that Minister promised that Ukraine will prepare in time all other objects for the final of EURO 2012.

“No matter will the veto of President of Ukraine concerning the financing of EURO 2012 be broken Ukraine will prepare infrastructure objects in time and will certainly find financing” – said Minister.
 

State Tax Administration of Ukraine (STAU) proposes to relieve UEFA from taxation of its income during the EURO 2012 Cup.

Sergei Lekar, deputy head of STAU, informed on the peculiarities of his initiative on press-conference “System of taxation in the process of EURO 2012.

He said that having in mind the making of attractive conditions for investors in Ukrainian economy STAU initiated the whole bunch of amendmens to the taxation during the EURO 2012 Soccer Championship.

Alterations to the Law of Ukraine On taxation of income of the entities are also discussed. Tax relief is proposed for income of UEFA obtained in Ukraine, among which are rights of broadcasting, media and marketing rights.

Amending the Law of Ukraine On the VAT the STAU proposes to implement the transitional EURO 2012 law on the release from taxation with VAT of operations with the imported goods and broadcasting rights.

Amending the Law of Ukraine On the income of natural person the idea is to release persons not residents of Ukraine from taxation of their income received in Ukraine during the EURO 2012.

By UNIAN
 

UEFA will not change hosting countries

On 24 of March in Copenhagen took place the Congress of UEFA. Executive Committee positively evaluated preparedness of Ukraine and Poland to Euro- 2012.

“Nobody speaks about the shift of hosting countries for the next Euro football Cup. Poland is little better in preparation, but construction of stadiums is at a normal phase in both countries,” – said Gerhard Meier-Forfelder after the meeting of Executive Committee on 24th of March. He also insisted on the fact that UEFA has never thought about changing Ukraine for Germany, it was only press speculations.

Franz Beckenbauer, coordinator of Euro 2006 in Germany said that UEFA had received “generally positive” report concerning the preparations of two countries for Euro-2012.

The President of UEFA Michel Platini is intended to visit Poland and Ukraine in April to witness himself readiness for Euro-2012.

The main intrigue with Ukraine is going to start in May, while UEFA will be finally deciding the hosting cities. The lesser possibilities have Odessa and Lvov, because of lack of strategic investor for the construction of sport facilities, experts say.
 

Ukrainian Parliament prepares tax exemptions for EURO 2012

On 13 January Verkhovna Rada adopted on the first reading the draft of the Law On amendments to several laws of Ukraine on taxation during the final chapter of Football Championship EURO 2012 in Ukraine. The draft was voted with 391 deputy of the Parliament.

This Law intends to bring amendments to the Law of Ukraine On taxation of income of enterprises in the part of taxation of income and profit gained by UEFA in Ukraine during the Championship, in particular rewards obtained from marketing rights and media rights.

Among that amendments planned to be made to the Article 11 of the Law of Ukraine On added value tax in the part of implementing temporary law on exemption from taxation operations from import of goods (capital assets), obtained by UEFA Organizational Committee in Ukraine.

More amendments planned to be made. Among them is the Law of Ukraine On personal income tax will be amended with the exemption of persons except residents of Ukraine, irrespective from their participation in Championship in Ukraine or abroad, not including the salary or per diems.


by UNIAN

 

UEFA Committee lays down conditions for Poland and Ukraine

Ukraine and Poland have preserved their the right to organize and host the European Football Championship in 2012. That said, theUEFA committee laid down a number of conditions which Ukraine and Poland are to meet in order to host the final part of the tournament in four years’ time.

The UEFA pointed out that the national organizations responsible for the project advancing made mistakes due to lack of experience and strictness, and that there was practically no development of infrastructure necessary for the tournament quality conduction.

Both countries have been making progress at the organizational level and in terms of infrastructure development for the past six months.  However the progress was inconsistent and wasn’t everywhere. 

The UEFA Executive Committee pointed out the many conditions which are to be met in order to move the project forward.

• Both countries must continue to put forth necessary efforts, as any delay may call into question the conduct of the tournament in these countries.
• UEFA will decide how many stadiums and which ones are to be granted a right to host the matches.  The minimal number of them is six, and the maximum is eight, taking account of the fact that the contracts were signed with eight stadiums, cities and airports. 
• The number of stadiums is not necessarily to be the same in both countries.
• Completion of works at the stadiums in Kiev and Warsaw remains the decisive condition of the whole project. 
• The Governments of both countries must support their national associations and fulfill obligations given to the UEFA with regard to the project, especially those concerning lodging and transport infrastructure.
   

The UEFA executive committee will not deny Ukraine and Poland the right to host Euro-2012

The UEFA executive committee will not deny Ukraine and Poland the right to host Euro-2012, the UEFA source says. 

However, the UEFA will be criticizing both countries for the lack of progress in the course of preparation for the tournament; the UEFA source informed the Reuters agency.

He said he read a special report of the football organization about the ability of both countries to host Euro-2012 and which would be presented to the general public in a week’s time.

It was reported earlier that a vice prime minister Ivan Ivasyuk was confident that the UEFA Strategic Council would not deny Ukraine the right to host the final part of the 2012 European Football Championship.

By 15 Minutes
 

Opening ceremony of a football stadium in Dnepropetrovsk

The president of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko took part in a solemn opening ceremony of a football stadium in Dnepropetrovsk.

While delivering a speech at the opening of the sport arena Dnepr, Yushchenko paid attention to the fact that the matches of the final part of 2012 European Football Championship would be played at this stadium. 

The president pointed out: “This is the present Dnepropetrovsk made to Ukraine.  You are the first to take a real step towards hosting the championship”.

The president expressed his hope that this new sport arena would inspire the dnepropetrovsk footballers to conquer new football heights.

by UNIAN
 

UEFA inspection

On August 18, 2008 UEFA inspection took place in Kiev to ensure the proper level of readiness of Ukraine to Euro 2012. For the same reasons the honorable delegation also visited Donetsk, Lvov, Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk.

In inspections participated representatives of National Agency on Euro 2012, Ministry of Youth and Family, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Soccer Federation of Ukraine and representatives of the cities hosting the Euro Cup in Ukraine.

Representatives of the Commission stated a definite progress in the preparation of Ukraine to the 2012 Euro Cup. Stadium expert Mark Trimmer stressed upon the quality changes in the matter of reconstruction of Olimpiyskiy Stadium and congratulated on the beginning of the construction of stadium in Lvov. The transport experts favored the results of the roads reconstruction in Ukraine.
 

Ukraine investment forum - Saturday, May 17, 2008

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine will host within the framework of the 2008 EBRD Annual Meeting an investment forum "Ukraine: Investments. Infrastructure. EURO-2012" in Kiev on Saturday May 17th, 2008. Government authorities, major international corporations and leading enterprises from the region will be represented at the event.

The Forum includes an exhibition about Ukraine where companies can learn more about key investment projects and investment potential.

The program includes the following topics:
Session 1. Ways to increase competitiveness of Ukraine
Session 2. Euro-2012: opportunities for private capital
Session 3. Dialogue with foreign investors
Session 4. Ukraine and world food market

The event will be an excellent opportunity for companies to establish direct contacts with representatives of the Ukrainian business community.

The event will take place at the October Palace from 14.00 to 17.30 and will be open to all registered participants who have a badge-code. For more information and on-line registration please visit the website of the Investment forum.
 

Olympic stadium tendering process

On the 7th of April, 2008, the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sport closed receipt of tenders for reconstruction of Kiev’s Olympic Stadium. 19 companies took part in the competition, based in Ukraine as well as in Austria, the UK, China, Germany and Taiwan.
 

Yulia Tymoshenko urged investors to participate

March 4, 2008 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko held a meeting with investors and construction firms concerning highways building, reconstruction of airports within the framework of preparation and holding a final tournament of football Euro-2012 in Ukraine, according to the government’s press-office.

Opening the meeting, Yulia Tymoshenko said that Ukraine must provide a modern infrastructure for Euro-2012. In particular, it is necessary to reconstruct 13 airports, build new terminals, large length of highways, railway branches, bridges, hotels etc. “In other words, the volume of work for those who want to work in Ukraine is practically immense,” the Head of Government said.

Therefore, according to Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine needs professional teams with experience and ability to work within the deadlines and with their investment funds.

Inasmuch as, the Prime Minister informed, by estimate for reconstruction of airports Ukraine needs 9,5 billion UAH, for building and reconstruction of highways - 37,5 billion. “It is clear that the Ukrainian budget will not be able to offer investors such money and relying that the state or local budgets will completely return these funds is absolutely impossible,” Yulia Tymoshenko said.

“That’s why we assembled here today to discuss how we should build our cooperation and make real investors come from all over the world to Ukraine for the construction of all these objects and we should not be isolated in certain lobbying opportunities of Ukraine,” the Head of Government added.

Yulia Tymoshenko expressed confidence in the establishment of “direct communication” between the Government and investors and open and equal opportunities for all investors. That is, first and foremost – transparent procedures, available for you and giving an opportunity to participate in all preparation processes for Euro-2012,” the Prime Minister underscored.