The intention of the Flemish broadcaster to support the winner of the national selection Eurosong 2006 by an international promotour has drawn the attention of the Flemish Parliament. Flemish MP Patricia Ceysens has prepared a written question to Geert Bourgeois, the Flemish Minister of Media and Tourism, to ask him to support the international promotour of the Flemish singer who will represent Belgium in the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

“We need a good song”
Ceysens noticed that the success of Helena Paparizou was supported by an active contribution in the international promo-campaign by the Greek Ministry of Tourism. “First of all we need a good song, a professional artist and a tasteful act that will draw the attention of the European public” Ceysens said. “In the past, Flemish contributions in the Eurovision Song Contest always ended up below our expectations. That�s why the intention of the public broadcaster to make an international promo-tour deserves our support”, she added.

Touristic ambassador
Helena Paparizou was presented as a touristic ambassador of her country. According to the MP. international promotion is not only important for the artist, but can also have positive effects on the development and promotion of a country�s tourism.

Flanders? Belgium!
Although the Flemish public broadcaster VRT organizes the upcoming national selection, the winner of Eurosong 2006 will represent Belgium in Athens next year. Ceysens has not forgotten the incident in Oslo, at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, when a former Prime Miinister wished Lisa Del Bo “the best of luck on behalf of Flanders”, instead of Belgium. “Without any doubt the Flemish candidate will represent the whole of Belgium. But tourism and foreign trade are competences of the regions, just like media”. That�s why Ceysens asks at Minister Bourgeois to contact his colleagues of the other Belgian regions in order to examine the possibilities to co-operate during the international promotour or at least to prevent difficulties.

Eurosong 2006
Songs for Eurosong 2006 can be submitted to Flemish broadcaster VRT until 28th September. In December the selected participants will be announced at a press conference.