Although earlier this month the Azerbaijan Public Television (iTV) proceeded with the national selection to decide the country's first representative in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest it was not until yesterday that the EBU made their final decision as to whether they would be allowed to take part at all, according to Azerbaijani media.

Today, Ismayil Omarov, head director ofiTV received the official letter which makes possible the participation of the country in the 2008 Eurovision Song Conest to be held in Belgrade.

The selection process took place earlier this month and it was judged by the Heydar Aliyec Foundation, Culture and Tourism Ministry and Youth and Sport Ministry. The jury was made up of Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov, professor Nargiz Pashayeva, director of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Akif Malikov, music composers Vagif Garayzada and Faig Sujaddinov, and finally the music artist Tarana Muradova.

Almost 40 singers partipated in the process including pop group Rast, Roya, Samir Bagirov, Irada Ibrahimova, Ilhama Gasimova, Ayaz Gasimov, Samira, Nurlan Novrasli, Khayyam, Elton Huseynaliyev and Elnara. No details are yet available about whether the final selection will be internal or a national final will be used to determine the final round of the selection.