Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, will host the inaugural European Games in 2015 following passage in Rome of a motion to hold the continental event.
The measure was approved by a general assembly of the 49-member European Olympic Committees (EOC).
EOC President Pat Hickey came up with the idea three years ago.
The EOC said on its official website that the new event was not intended to be a rival to the Olympic Games.
EOC added that the games -- whose exact dates have not yet been determined -- will have around 15 sports on the program and will not cost their member states any money to compete in.
Baku was a candidate to host the 2020 Olympic Games but failed to make the short list when it was voted on earlier this year.
The measure was approved by a general assembly of the 49-member European Olympic Committees (EOC).
EOC President Pat Hickey came up with the idea three years ago.
The EOC said on its official website that the new event was not intended to be a rival to the Olympic Games.
EOC added that the games -- whose exact dates have not yet been determined -- will have around 15 sports on the program and will not cost their member states any money to compete in.
Baku was a candidate to host the 2020 Olympic Games but failed to make the short list when it was voted on earlier this year.
