AKIPRESS.COM - The UEFA Congress started in Astana today, Kazakh media report Thursday.

It is an honor for Kazakhstan to host the UEFA Congress, said Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov in his opening speech. Akhmetov said that football has a very large role in the consolidation of peace, friendship and harmony. Last year Kazakh football celebrated its 100th anniversary. The country has all conditions for the development of the sport.

The Congress, which is UEFA's supreme governing organ, meets annually and is made up of representatives from each of UEFA's 54 member associations.