The EBU will officially announce the countries, which will take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Hasselt, on 22nd August. Svante Stockselius, song contest supervisor at the European Broadcasting Union, confirmed that to esctoday.com. Days ago, oikotimes.com already mentioned this date, now it has been officially confirmed.

So far, three new countries are mentioned: Lithuania, Serbia & Montenegro and Ukraine. Switzerland and France withdrew from the contest. Georgian television confirmed negotiations about participation and is the potential 20th and last country on the list.

So far, the following 19 countries have been informally confirmed by the website of the Hasselt city administration. As said, the final list of participants will be made public on 22nd August.

1. Belarus
2. Belgium
3. Croatia
4. Cyprus
5. Denmark
6. Greece
7. FYR Macedonia
8. Latvia
9. Lithuania
10. Malta
11. Netherlands
12. Norway
13. Poland
14. Romania
15. Serbia & Montenegro
16. Spain
17. Sweden
18. Ukraine
19. United Kingdom

Georgia is the potential 20th participating country.

The third edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will take place on 26th November in Hasselt, Belgium. Ticket sales will start at the beginning of September, according to eurosong.be sources.