The issue of Armenia’s participation in Baku-to-host Eurovision has not yet been settled.
Chief executive of the international Eurovision song contest Jon Ola Sand noted that at the upcoming Eurovision 2012 in Baku Armenia will be in the same conditions as other countries in terms of security, ARMENIA Today reports.
“You see, under the standard procedure, the European Broadcasting Union expects the authorized bodies of the hosting countries to provide guarantees of security for all participants including for the Armenian delegation. As always, the Union informs the Union broadcasting members, including the Public Television about the conception of security and guarantees. We are aware of your concern and must do everything possible in a hope to welcome the Armenian delegation in Baku next year”, Ola Sand said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the board of the Public Television and Radio Company Alexan Arutyunyan has said recently that the issue of participation of the Armenian representative is not settled yet, because the Armenian side is not satisfied with the guarantees of security provided by Azerbaijan, and they appealed for guarantees to the European broadcasting union.
“We need not the half-guarantees of Azerbaijan, but the guarantees of the European Broadcasting Union and I think that before the meeting in Geneva in December, these guarantees will be provided to us”, he said.
According to chairman of the board of the Public Television and Radio Company, a delegation of 30-40 people will leave for Baku in case Yerevan participates. By the way, Azerbaijan has not applied for participation in the upcoming Children’s Eurovision to be held in Yerevan in December.
Editor-in-chief of the Mediamax news agency, information security specialist David Alaverdyan says that for Armenia Eurovision in Baku is primarily not a music but a political contest, which is why it is important to take part.
“Next year our participation will be exceptional, since it will be more important than victory. And as participation is important, we should think over sending a message to the world”, Alaverdyan said.
According to Alaverdyan, Armenia must get security guarantees at the highest level. According to the expert, these guarantees have to ensure all conditions for the Armenian participant, including repetitions, free movement as well as the right of Armenian journalists to highlight the contest.
Singer Ayko who took the eighth part in Eurovision 2007 believes that Armenia must boycott the contest next year thus demonstrating their position.
The final decision about Armenia’s participation in the contest will be taken in December.
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