First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games started with a magnificent opening ceremony held in National Stadium of Azerbaijan's capital Baku on Friday.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

The stadium, which can host up to 68,000 people, was full during the largest event ever hosted by Azerbaijan.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan were among the 15 heads of state and many other officials that participated as honour guests of the ceremony.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

6,000 athletes from 50 different countries will compete in 20 different branch of sports in the first European Games. Kosovo, which became independent in 2008, joins its first olympic event after being recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Turkey's delegation received a warm welcome from the crowd in the stadium.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Despite the ongoing dispute among two countries, Armenia also participated to the games, although the crowd in the stadium was not so cheerful.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Lady Gaga staged a live performance during the ceremony.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Baku's Flame Towers during the ceremony.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Seven facilities were renovated, five were built from the scratch, while six others were temporarily built for the European Games.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

The event also gave the opportunity for heads of state to discuss the bilateral relations, as well as global and regional issues during the games. President Erdoğan met with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday for a bilateral meeting.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

Erdoğan also met with Russian President Putin.

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku

First European Games start with magnificent opening ceremony in Baku