The Support Agreement was signed on behalf of the City of Rijeka by Vojko Obersnel, Rijeka mayor and by Georgios Makropoulos, FIDE deputy president. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Boris Kutin, president of the European Chess Union (ECU),

The signing of the agreement was arranged during the European Individual Chess Championship for men and women, presently taking place at the Zamet Centre. Mayor Obersnel emphasised that the large manifestation was an excellent opportunity, based on many talks with the World Chess Federation and the European Chess Union, that an initiative be started whereby including in lobbying for Rijeka as host city for the Mediterranean Games, also the World Federation, as an influential organisation with representatives in all the Mediterranean countries. „I am confident that the assistance of the World Chess Federation will be valuable," said Obersnel.

The agreement provides that Rijeka will propose to include chess in the list of the official sports categories played at the Mediterranean Games. Namely, every county participating in the Mediterranean Games has a quota of 18 obligatory sports with which it must participate in the Games, while the Country or the city that organises the Mediterranean Games has a "bonus", namely it is allowed to include a couple of extra sports in the games.
Mr. Makropoulos, FIDE deputy president thanked the City of Rijeka for its huge support provided to chess.

"It is therefore our obligation to support Rijeka in order to be assigned the organisation of the Mediterranean Games, as an interesting sports and tourist city. I must point out that the signing of this agreement is not primarily aimed at including chess in the programme of the Mediterranean Games, but it is our support to the city that deserves to be assigned the organisation of the Mediterranean Games that is underlying," said Makropoulos, emphasising that he was impressed with the manner the European Individual Chess Championship for men and women was organised.

Boris Kutin, president of the European Chess Union (ECU) pointed out that the inclusion of chess in the sports played at the Mediterranean Games would be a significant step forward for chess.
(S.R.)