Every country which is an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and wishes to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is invited to do so in 2004, as the German Eurovision fan club OGAE reports today in reference to a telephone interview with the EBU.

This means that a passive participation in the year before the contest and its live broadcasting isn't required anymore to participate in the contest the following year.

Until now, Albania, Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro, Andorra and Bulgaria have showed their interest. With the new rule, other countries still have plenty of time to apply.