By becoming a member, FIBA Europe claims to be showing its enthusiasm to help contribute towards a European sports policy.

It is the sixth European Federation to partner with the EOC EU Office, which is the representative body of the EOC to European institutions, and represents the interests of the International Olympic Committee at national, European and international level.

The five others are European Athletics, European Aquatics, the European Handball Federation, the European Volleyball Confederation and Rugby Europe.

"I am extremely pleased to welcome the prestigious organisation of FIBA Europe as our latest partner," said EOC President Patrick Hickey.

"When we established the EOC EU Office, it was organisations such as FIBA Europe that we wanted to target in order to build a strong network of Olympic Movement sports’ organisations to partner with the EU’s institutions.

"The European Union brings a number of challenges as well as opportunities for the field of sport.

"The EOC EU Office is our answer to facing these challenges and to taking full advantage of these opportunities.

"With basketball being one of the major team sports in Europe, I am sure that this partnership will be of mutual benefit to FIBA Europe and to the EOC in many EU policy areas, but also beyond the EU institutions."

Turgay Demirel, President of FIBA Europe, added: "At FIBA Europe, we are always looking to build partnerships with institutions that share our commitment to sport and the positive impact it has on young people and our societies.

"The EOC EU Office is one such institution.

"Basketball is one of Europe's leading sports, and this relationship will allow us to work more effectively towards our goal of strengthening the game in each of our member countries and beyond."

Basketball has featured at every edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival, dating back to the inaugural Games in Brussels in 1991.

The 3x3 version of the game was among the most popular sports at the Baku 2015 European Games.

"FIBA Europe’s commitment to the European Olympic family grew last summer in Baku when our exciting new format, 3x3, proved to be one of the biggest hits with fans at the inaugural European Games," said Kamil Novak, FIBA executive director for Europe.

"Now, becoming a partner of the EOC EU Office is the next logical step in our mutually beneficial relationship."

The EOC EU Office has also partnered with two International Federations: FIFA and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

A full list of the EOC EU Office’s partners can be found by clicking here.