Surkis: Position of UEFA Vice President shows respect to Ukraine

KYIV, May 25 /UKRINFORM/. Hryhoriy Surkis, who was elected UEFA vice-president on Friday, sees his new appointment as a high level of respect of the European football community to Ukraine.

He said this during a telephone linkup with London during a TV program in Kyiv Friday.

"I thank you for the congratulations, but these congratulations equally concern every citizen of Ukraine. Because, first of all, I am a citizen, and everything else is less important. This is the first time a Ukrainian was paid this honor. I think that this honor is given to my country and me as its citizen. And with all my knowledge, experience and skills, I am ready to serve the country, people and, of course, European football," Surkis said.

He is proud of the fact that Ukraine held EURO 2012 at a high level.

"Ukraine has proved in 2012 that it is able to hold a brilliant tournament, which won the hearts of millions of people around the world, and confirmed that we are able to carry out such grandiose events. Ukraine opened for the Europeans, for the whole world a new page in its history. And today, at the UEFA Congress, the UEFA President said that this was a significant event for European football," Surkis underscored.