Epress.am News from Armenia
There are issues related to the city where Eurovision 2012 will be held and alternative places are being discussed, said Chair of the Council of Armenian Public Television and Radio Company Alexan Harutyunyan, speaking to reporters in the Armenian capital today and weighing in on Armenia’s possible participation.
“Let’s not forget that next year, that is, during this programming season, Eurovision is going to take place in Baku in May next year, and we have to try to make a decision on this issue,” he said.
According to Harutyunyan, at this time, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is trying to secure guarantees — that will be necessary for the Armenian delegation — from Azerbaijan.
“Our delegation insisted that we get guarantees from the EBU. We’re now at the stage of those guarantees being secured — it’s possible that we’ll get those guarantees by the meeting in Geneva in December. However, there are several other issues in Baku, not tied to Armenia’s participation,” he said and expressed hope that Azerbaijan will be in a position to host Eurovision and that a decision won’t be made to have the popular song contest elsewhere.
“But I can say that reserve options are being discussed,” he summed up.
Note, a Sept. 2 statement on the official Eurovision website notes that the Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest expressed its confidence in the progress of the preparations. There didn’t seem to be any indication on the part of Eurovision that there were doubts in Baku hosting next year’s contest.