Antonis Karatzikos, president of OGAE Greece, has been elected as the new International Coordinator of OGAE International. He will serve a two year term as a result of the recent elections held by OGAE presidents on 1st and 15th June.

In the recent elections held by OGAE clubs, Antonis Karatzikos received the majority of votes and became the new international coordinator (IC) for a period of two years (2007-2009) from a strong field of candidates. The other candidates (in alphabetical order) were Simon Bennett (OGAE UK), Miroslav Luburic (OGAE Serbia) and Roi Yechezkel (OGAE Israel). This is Antonis’ second time as an OGAE IC, as he served the post once more as a permanent coordinator back in 2005, after the resignation of the Turkish IC, Aykut Berber.

esctoday.com spoke with the new OGAE IC in Athens to congratulate him on his election. Antonis spoke to us about his plans for the immediate future, about his ambition to help found an OGAE club in every single participating country, about his expectations for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade and his views on the voting system.

Click here to read the full interview in our special's section

The new OGAE International Coordinator also has a message for the readers of esctoday.com – especially those not in one of the OGAE clubs yet- is this: “OGAE is a large, loving family. We do things about and for the Eurovision Song Contest 12 months a year and we have a great time! It is really worth for someone to join and experience the whole thing from within.”

esctoday.com would like to congratulate Antonis Karatzikos and wish him every success with his new post. We will be very happy to continue our support to all local OAGE clubs as well as OGAE international.

To join your local OGAE Club or if you would like to assist in the creation of an OGAE club in your own country (for countries that do not have an established OGAE club already) email : [email protected].