Prime ministers dismiss Ukraine and Poland Euro 2012 concerns

The prime ministers of Poland and Ukraine have dismissed criticism of the countries’ preparations for the 2012 Uefa European Football Championships.

Donald Tusk and Mykola Azarov have said that the stadiums for the tournament will be ready on time, despite Uefa president Michel Platini’s concerns over the construction work of the Kiev and Liviv stadium projects.

Platini has since withdrawn his threat to strip Ukraine of its co-hosting role after an acceleration in construction of the two projects.

Tusk, prime minister of Poland, said: “We are confident that the championship, which is important for Europe, will take place in four Ukrainian and four Polish cities.”

Martin Kallen, operations director for the 2012 event, has said the 69,000 seat stadium in Kiev could be complete by next June, while the 35,000-capacity Liviv venue is on target for completion in August.