Ukraine pledges high security for Eurovision Song Contest
Xinhua, April 13, 2017 Adjust font size:
The Ukrainian authorities on Thursday pledged to ensure the safety of the guests of the next month's Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev by heightening security measures in the city.
"The National Police, the National Guard and other security bodies are fully ready for the event. The patrolling of the main venues of the Eurovision, as well as the city centre and the transport facilities, will be enhanced," Bogdan Lizogub, the head of the security department of the Eurovision-2017 organizing committee, told reporters.
During the contest, some 10,000 police and other security officers would patrol the streets of Kiev, Lisogub said, adding that each foreign delegation will be escorted by English-speaking officers to prevent any incidents.
Besides, about 7,000 surveillance cameras will be installed across Kiev to better monitor situation in the city.
In May 2016, Ukraine was granted the right to host the Eurovision-2017 after its singer Susana Jamaladinova, who uses the stage name Jamala, won the 2016 Eurovision edition in Stockholm, Sweden.
The semi-finals of the 2017 contest will take place on May 9 and May 11, while the Grand Final will be held on May 13.
About 70,000 music fans from Ukraine and more than 50 foreign countries are expected to attend the event. Enditem