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European Broadcasting Union warns Armenia as its Eurovision spot contained political points

08 December 2009 14:42 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports quoting the official website of Eurovision song contest that after Mihran announced via youtube that Emmy and himself will represent Armenia in Oslo, ARMTV has spun the situation 180 degrees by admitting they are still unsatisfied with the decision of the EBU of the Azerbaijan case and have hinted that they are considering withdrawing due to the decision.
â€œWe are still waiting for the final word of the European Broadcasting Union on Azerbaijanâ€™s cases. Since we have not yet received a formal decision on this issue, we do not announce our final decision to participate in Eurovision 2010â€³, said the Armenian head of delegation Diana Mnatsakayan.
Diana said to ESCKAZ â€œfirst we are waiting for decisions from the EBU, and only then we will take a decision on the national selection, how it will be run and when it will take placeâ€.

Head of Azerbaijani delegation Adil Karimli told APA that the decision on Azerbaijan is the final and resolute decision of the EBU.
â€œI think, this is a fair decision. According to the decision of the EBU, we have paid a fine of â‚¬ 2700. I want to note that the European Broadcasting Union is a very democratic organization and passes any decision after through, precise investigation. Therefore, it is not right to say hat the decision is unfair, or a severe punishment. Ictimai TV participated in all the discussions and was the main side in the investigation of the fault. So, we respect the decision. I think such decisions are not punishment, this is the serious approach of EBU and its members to the existing laws and rules. The decision does not influence on Azerbaijanâ€™s participation in the next contest. Azerbaijan will be represented in Eurovision 2010,â€ he said.

According to Karimli, Armeniaâ€™s statements do not mean that there will be any changes in the decision.
â€œAccording to the decision, Azerbaijan and Spain have been warned and the fine paid. EBU said the absence of the sms numbers of the Armenian representatives on Azerbaijani television was due to the technical failure. No complaint can be made after this decision. The appropriate items are shown in the regulating documents and regulations of the EBU. According to the regulations, no complaint can be made after the final and precise decision of the EBU,â€ he said.

Karimli said it is Armeniaâ€™s own business to refuse to participate in Eurovision 2010 or not.
â€œIf Armenia wants to put a mask on its refusal to participate in the contest, it is its own business. But I want to say that the countries, whose participation in the contest next year has been confirmed, can refuse to participate by the middle of December. This date has been set by the EBU. Early in January the final list of Eurovision 2010 participants will be publicized,â€ he said.

Reliable sources told APA that Armenia has also been warned by the EBU. The warning has been made as Armeniaâ€™s Eurovision 2009 spot contained political points. Armenia has promised the EBU that it will avoid political interference in the contest.

One week ago, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) issued a formal statement to Ictimai TV of Azerbaijan for the â€œabsence of on-screen televoting-instructionsâ€. Therefore, Ictimai are responsible for reimbursing the incurred loss of revenue as well as a paying a fine. Also, Ictimai TV was warned by the EBU that in a case of another breach of the rules, that the penalty will be heavier and it can be a three consecutive year ban from the contest.

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