On Friday 16 March, the FIFA delegation touched down in a Minsk swept by flurries of cold wind. In accordance with traditional custom, the chairman of the Belarusian federation, Gennady Nevyglas, greeted Joseph S. Blatter by offering him bread and salt as a sign of welcome.

The President of FIFA was then whisked off to meet with the Prime Minister Sergei Sidorskiy for official behind-closed-doors discussions at the Government Palace. The Vice-Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, Gennady Alekseenko, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee Alexander Lukashenko, then presented Blatter with the decoration of the Order of the National Olympic Committee for his services to sport.

Mr. Blatter took the opportunity to underline the sterling work of the Belarusians in the field of football development: "football plays a key role in the education of young people. It teaches them about life, and it is gratifying to see how you are investing in your young people, by offering them the chance to learn to play the game and perhaps to become top-level players. They won't all become international stars, of course, but they will have learned a great deal through football," he declared. "You are up with the times!".

The Minister for Sport Alexander Grigorov, who was also in attendance, was understandably pleased. The FIFA President also touched on a further cause for satisfaction. "You have opened up your borders to the whole world and closed - partially - the door to foreign footballers. Your 7 + 4 is a sensible initiative that goes in the same direction, and even beyond, my efforts in terms of the 6 + 5 at European level."

The Prime Minister did not neglect to highlight the importance of the aid provided by FIFA. Several pitches have been created, as well as a Football Headquarters and almost 40 mini-pitches. In the afternoon, Blatter stopped off at the federation headquarters to visit the facilities. In this way, he was able to discover in person the new training centre project to be carried out in conjunction with FIFA.

Off to Kiev
It was then time to head for Ukraine, home of the so-called Orange Revolution and a candidate with Poland for the joint-hosting of UEFA Euro 2012. But the rivalry is fierce, since Italy and the Croatia-Hungary pairing are also in the running. After being welcomed by the chairman of the Ukrainian federation Grygoriy Surkis, Mr. Blatter met with the country's Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the following day. During their working session, the discussion touched on the Football Centre of Excellence project, regarded as essential by the FIFA President.

He was then welcomed by the President of the Republic, Victor Yushchenko, who shares the same vision as Mr. Blatter. The FIFA President noted that "football has allowed this country to become part of Europe and to increase in popularity. Football's power of integration is really impressive!"

Decorated with the Order of Yaroslav the Wise by Yushchenko, the FIFA President felt the need to clarify his position on the joint Ukrainian-Polish bid. "I know that there are many reasons why these two countries deserve to prevail, but the decision is down to UEFA's Executive Committee, and I don't represent UEFA. In my view, each of the three bids is impressive and has a real chance of success." During the press conferences organised, the FIFA President also called upon all Ukrainians to get right behind the bid and emphasised the key role of the federation chairman Grygoriy Surkis. President Blatter then completed his Ukrainian visit with a trip to the federation headquarters, where he mingled and chatted with the assembled crowd.