43 countries represented at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, in Baku

Geneva, 17 January 2012  - The European Broadcasting Union (EBU)  today announces the final list of countries that will participate at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in May.

The countries are: 

Albania (ALRTV); Armenia (ARMTV); Austria (ORF) Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV); Belarus (BTRC); Belgium (VRT); Bosnia & Herzegovina (BHRT); Bulgaria (BNT); Croatia (HRT); Cyprus (CyBC); Denmark (DR); Estonia (ERR); Finland (YLE); France (France Television), FYR Macedonia (MKRTV);  Georgia (GTVR); Germany (ARD/NDR); Greece (ERT); Hungary (MTV); Iceland (RUV); Ireland (RTE); Israel (IBA); Italy (RAI);  Latvia (LTV); Lithuania (LRT); Malta (PBS); Moldova (TRM); Montenegro (RTCG); the Netherlands (TROS); Norway (NRK); Portugal (RTP); Romania (TVR); Russian Federation (RTR); San Marino (RTV) Serbia (RTS); Slovakia (STV); Slovenia (RTVSLO); Spain (RTVE); Sweden (SVT); Switzerland (SRG/SSR); Turkey (TRT) Ukraine (NTU) and the United Kingdom (BBC).

EBU Members from 37 countries will be represented in the two semi-finals on 22 and 24 May. Ten contestants from each semi-final will proceed to the grand final on 26 May. Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV);  France (France Television); Germany (NDR/ARD); Spain (TVE) and the United Kingdom (BBC) are automatically qualified for the final.

Three countries that recently rejoined the Eurovision Song Contest, Italy, Hungary and Austria, are set to take part again this year. Joining them is Montenegro, which has been absent  from Europe's favourite television show for the past three years.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, comments: "We are thrilled to see that once again over 40 countries will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. They will gather in Baku in May, get to know the country and its people, and most of all, be part of the most spectacular music entertainment show on Earth."

The Polish public broadcaster, TVP is unable to join this year’s line-up.  “As host broadcaster of Euro2012, TVP has a challenging year ahead. We truly hope to welcome TVP back again in 2013,” Jon Ola Sand explained.

The semi-final allocation draw, which decides which semi-final each country will compete in, will be held on 25 January in Baku, at the Host City Insignia Exchange. During the ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Düsseldorf will hand over the Contest's insignia to the Mayor of Baku.

For more details please go to www.eurovision.tv

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)