Armenia not to vote at song contest "Eurovision-2012"

Refusal of Armenian performers' participation in the international song contest "Eurovision-2012", which will be held in Baku in May, will result in the impossibility for voting for participants. Yerevan has explained the reasons for the boycott of the song contest by the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

On March 7, the Armenian Public Television officially informed the European Broadcasting Union about the refusal to take part in the song contest "Eurovision-2012". As a result, 42 countries will participate in the song contest.

According to Goar Gasparyan, the head of the Armenian delegation to the song contest, in accordance with the rules, non-participation in the song contest automatically means non-voting, the IA "News-Armenia" reports.

In their turn, the European organizers of the song contest have expressed their disappointment with the decision of the official Yerevan. "We are really disappointed with the decision of the Armenian broadcaster to refuse participation in the song contest 'Eurovision' this year," said Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the song contest, on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union.

Azerbaijan believes that the refusal to take part in the song contest "Eurovision" will cause damage to the image of Armenia.

"If Armenia refuses to participate in the grand European song contest, which this year will be held in Baku, then, I believe it will cause heavy damage to its image, which is not in a very good condition," told Ali Akhmedov, Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" (YAP), the journalists today.

Ali Akhmedov has emphasized that Azerbaijan had created all conditions for participation in this song contest for all countries, including Armenia, the "Trend" reports.