Stay off during Euro 2012, Polish PM tells protesters

Warsaw: To make life easier for foreign and Polish fans during the upcoming Euro 2012 football championship, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposes to convince through talk those planning demonstrations not to do so during the tournament period.

"I will talk to everyone who I need to talk, who has reasons to protest, to try and convince them not to do so during Euro 2012 as it will create problems for the fans, not for the government," the prime minister was quoted as saying by Xinhua. However, the police forces are well prepared for potential protests, he stressed. "I am convinced that Poles express particular solidarity and loyalty regarding this great Euro 2012 festival," the prime minister said. On Friday, Tusk visited Poznan Police Headquarters and met servicemen responsible for providing security during Euro 2012. Later he saw the construction of the new railway station hall. "I am reassured with the security infrastructure for Euro 2012," Tusk told a press conference in Poznan. "Regarding the preparation of the police, the rescue service and the evacuation system everyone in Poznan is convinced they are fully prepared. We are ready to accept guests and to organize the matches and accompanying events," Tusk said. The 16-nation Euro 2012 soccer championships, slated for June 8-July 1 will take place in four Polish cities of Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan as well as four Ukrainian cities of Kiev, Lvov, Donetsk and Kharkov. IANS