Azeri public broadcaster Ictimai TV, the latest member to join the EBU, received a letter from the Eurovision organising committee confirming their full membership. This allows the Caucasian country to make its Eurovision Song Contest debut next year in Belgrade. News agency APA now reports that the country has already paid it's participation fee.
Azerbaijan's minister of Youth and Sports, Azad Rahimov, stated that the country's public broadcaster, Ictimai TV (ITV) has already paid their membership fee, making Azerbaijan a full eligible country to take part in Eurovision Song Contest.
That will happen next May in Belgrade (Serbia). Meanwhile, the process to choose the Azeri entry continues underway. Rahimov explained that "specialists will define the representative of Azerbaijan in the contest", and added that “the song is being composed by famous stars of Azerbaijan at present. The latest decision will be announced soon". It is also said that the final entries will be broadcast and composers will be reimbursed for their efforts.
As esctoday.com reported one month ago, the people behind the Azeri entry are Faig Sujaddinov, Eldar Mansurov, Ilham Abdullayev, Tunzala Agayeva and Govhar Hasanzada. One of this 6 hopefuls will be the lucky artist that will take Azerbaijan for the first time ever on the Eurovision stage:
- Emil Aliyev
- Sabina Babayeva
- Elnur
- Fuad Musayev
- Aytaj
- Jabrayil
