Kosovo in the Eurovision Song Contest

Infobox Eurovision country
Name = Kosovo

Kosovo, and its broadcaster Radio Televizioni i Kosovës (RTK) is now applying for EBU membership, and wishes to enter Kosovo into Eurovision Song Contest 2009. [cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3110 |title=Kosovo: RTK wants to enter Eurovision in 2009 |publisher="oikotimes.com" |accessdate=2008-05-22] [ [http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3131 "NDR on the Kosovo potential participation in Eurovision"] "oikotimes.com" 22 May 2008 Link accessed 27/05/08 ] [ [http://eurovision.serious-news.com/?p=1798 "RTK wants to enter Eurovision as soon as possible"] "eurovision.serious-news.com" 19 April 2008 Link accessed 27/05/08] Kosovo would be making their Eurovision Song Contest debut in 2009 if Kosovo joins the EBU. However this is controversial because the host country, Russia and some other participating countries do not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo's Parliament, therefore they can reject Kosovo's EBU membership. However Kosovo is eligible to join as stated by the EBU. [ [http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history-by-country "History by country"] "eurovision.tv" Link accessed 27.05.08]

According to the Kosovan newspaper Koha Ditore, the 2009 entry would be selected via a national final called Akordet e Kosovës, a former pop show that had been taken off the air some years ago. [ [http://www.belgovision.com/en/internationaal_f.php?id=4089 "Kosovo aiming for Eurovision Song Contest participation"] "belgovision.com" 19 April 2008 Link accessed 27.05.08] [ [http://74.52.64.18/~wwkoha08//index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=40&limit=11&limitstart=55 "Vitin tjetër në "Eurosong"] "Koha Ditore" 17 March 2008 Link accessed 27.05.08]

Whether Kosovo will make their debut in the 2009 contest will be decided at the end of 2008. Kosovo is currently neither a member of the Council of Europe nor the United Nations. Radio Television of Serbia, have already stated that if Kosovo successfully enters, they will fully withdraw from the competition.fact|date=June 2008

ee also

* Eurovision Song Contest
* International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

References

External links

* [http://www.eurovision.tv Eurovision Song Contest Official Site]