Officials in Kiev, Ukraine, said they have decided not to fine foreigners for urinating in public during the Euro 2012 soccer championships.

Acting Mayor Oleksandr Popov said foreigners visiting the city for the tournament would not be fined for public urination in "authorized places" despite the high number of available public toilets in the city, ForUm reported Friday.

Popov said the public urination is not due to a problem with the toilets, but rather a difference of cultures.

"Who would think that someone would pee in the central street? I don't want to go into details, but, let's say, these are kind of new impressions," he said.

Popov said "people came to have some rest and some fun."

"Let them do both," he said.

The acting mayor said authorities will also refrain from fining foreigners for smoking in public areas. (c) UPI