German broadcaster NDR announced that they will not send a German representative to this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest. 19 instead of 20 countries will thus be present at the event's second edition in Zagreb, Croatia… unless the European Broadcasting Union invites another country to replace Germany.

After last year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, it was announced that 20 countries would participate in 2004. Germany was said to be one of the newcomers, but German broadcaster NDR reported that there is no way that Germany will participate. A reason for the withdrawal has not been given.

The withdrawal of Germany means that 19 instead of 20 countries will be represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Zagreb, Croatia. The European Broadcasting Union has not yet decided whether a new country will replace Germany or the number of participating countries will be cut down to 19.

This is the provisional list of 19 countries who'll be present at the second Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

01. Belarus
02. Belgium
03. Croatia
04. Cyprus
05. Denmark
06. France
07. United Kingdom
08. Greece
09. Ireland
10. Israel
11. Latvia
12. Malta
13. FYR Macedonia
14. Netherlands
15. Norway
16. Poland
17. Romania
18. Spain
19. Sweden