TVR, the Romanian national broadcaster has confirmed Romania’s preliminary participation at the forthcoming 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. The broadcaster has applied to join the competition in Ukraine next year reserving the right to withdraw its appplication by 10 October, without facing a financial penalty.

In the case the country returns to Eurovision next year, it will be opting for its annual national selection Selectia Nationala in order to deliberate its Eurovision act and entry for Kyiv.

In 2016 Romania selected its Eurovision act and entry via a national selection. Ovidiu Anton won the golden ticket to Stockholm with his entry Moment of silence. Unfortunately Romania was not allowed to compete in the contest due to its overdue debt with the EBU. The EBU withdrew TVR’s member services due to a non payment of debt mounting up to 16 million CHF.

Romania debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and is yet to win the competition. The country achieved its best result in the contest in 2005 and 2010 when it placed 3rd.

With Romania in the house, 32 countries have so far confirmed their intention to participate at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

The period for countries to apply for participation at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest concluded on 15 September. Hereafter applicant countries have a grace period until 10 October to decide if they are to stay or not in the competition without facing a financial penalty.

The final and confirmed list of the ESC 2017 participating countries is expected to be released by the EBU by late December/early January.

The 2017 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 9, 11 and 13 May at the IEC in Kyiv, Ukraine.