On 2 February 2021, Lithuania ratified the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (Saint-Denis Convention) becoming the 19th State to ratify this important international treaty*.

This is exciting news for the ProS4+ project. In March 2018, the project co-operated with the Lithuanian authorities, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the Ministry of the Interior, and carried out a three-day country-tailored training seminar entitled: “Safe, Secure and Welcoming Sports Events”. The aim of this training was to promote the principles enshrined in the Saint-Denis Convention, the good practices inherent to Standing Committee Recommendation (2015)1 and that the member state ratifies the convention.

We are pleased that the efforts resulted in ratification and are very happy to welcome Lithuania on board!

*The Republic of Lithuania was one of the first countries to sign the Saint-Denis Convention on 3 July 2016 when it opened for signature. The Convention will enter into force in Lithuania on 1 April 2021.