Will Kosovo finally get an invitation to participate at Eurovision? We could know later this year. After years of theories, rising hopes and at least one instance of overconfidence, Kosovo broadcaster RTK reports that they have been in discussions with the European Broadcasting Union.
Mentor Shala, director-general of RTK, represented the broadcaster and met with Jean-Paul Philippot, the director-general of the EBU, during which they discussed further co-operation between the two bodies and the possibility of extending full membership for Kosovo in the EBU.
Early reports suggested that Kosovo’s membership would be decided by a vote held by the EBU’s General Assembly. However, ESCXTRA contacted the EBU and asked for clarification on the proposed vote. The EBU responded:
“RTK currently does not meet the criteria for full EBU membership but it was agreed at the EBU General Assembly in Tirana (June 29) that constructive discussions will continue between the EBU and RTK about future possibilities for closer co-operation.”
RTK is currently not eligible for full EBU membership as Kosovo is not a member of the International Telecommunications Union.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. However, its status is still disputed internationally and in diplomatic practice. Extreme tensions — political and territorial — exist between the Serbian government and the Albanian leadership of the Assembly of Kosovo. One manifestation of these tensions was the Kosovo War, which lasted from the end of 1998 until the middle of 1999.
A number of states whose broadcasters are EBU members do not recognise Kosovo as an independent country. As well as Serbia, this includes Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia and Ukraine.
Since Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, its broadcaster has made it a goal to become part of the EBU and join the Eurovision family. Although it doesn’t have those rights, it did manage to participate in Eurovision Young Dancers in 2011.
The EBU’s response suggests that while full membership of the EBU is still off-limits for RTK, it may be possible for them to be involved in some aspects of the EBU’s member services. And as fans are speculating, this could mean participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Kosovars have competed in the competition before, albeit for other countries. Recent examples include Rona Nishliu for Albania in 2012, Lindita Halimi for Albania in 2017 and Kosovo-born Serbian singer Nevena Božović as part of Moje 3 for Serbia in 2013.
What do you think? Should RTK be allowed to compete at Eurovision? Who would you like to see sing for Kosovo? Share your thoughts below!
Read more Kosovo Eurovision news here
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Its a country…let them in!!
Kosovo welcome to Eurovision
Most countries have regular relations with Kosovo (or at least, have no problem with it). The remaining ones (Serbia, Bosnia & H, Russia, Belarus and Armenia) will never accept Kosovo as a country. So waiting is meaningless, it has been 10 yrs already.
*Banging on table* LET!! THEM!! IN!! ??????????
Long live Kosovo!
I think the Faroe Islands also wanted to join the EBU independent of Denmark. After all, they enjoy much more autonomy than Scotland does in the UK or Catalonia in Spain.
Personally, I think both Kosovo and the Faroe Islands should enter independently. Thus, even if we take the position that Kosovo is still part of Serbia, it can still participate in Eurovision as its own entity.
Realistically, however, I can’t imagine the Kosovo broadcaster is rolling in money, thus I don’t see them being able to sustain a membership in the EBU without problems.
EBU/ESC countries that do not recognise Kosovo: Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine. How does RTK expect to get an invite to ESC?
EBU can invite anyone they want, but only the law of the host country will determine whether Kosovo can participate or not. Look at football, Kosovo was allowed to take part in the selection for the Championship, but was not allowed to play on the territories of countries that did not recognize them, and had to play matches in third countries.
“does not recognize” doesn’t necessarily mean they have problems with Kosovo.
Also, Turkey doesn’t recognize Cyprus as an independent country, but both participate at ESC.
And… Cyprus participated in the 2004 contest in Turkey
No, it is not. Australia was invited by Austria, Sweden, Ukraine and Portugal. None of them being member of the “Big Five”.
will this mean Italy will no longer receive their annual 12 points from the Albanian jury?
Hope this happens! Although Armenia dosent officially recognise Kosovo, we hope they participate imagine if they sent artists like era istefi with ‘origami’ they would bring so much quality, i am so here for this.
Despite the lack of recognition, Serbia and Bosnia seem to be the only Eurovision countries to not actually want Kosovo there.
Yes definetely.we would love to see Kosovo participating in eurovision.why not ? Kosovo is a country and should let them participate
Croatia wants Kosovo on ESC. Welcome!
If it became true I would support it.
Every year same story. Kosovo will not be in Eurovision 2019, same story for Kazahstan…
I think Kosovo should debut in Israel despite the fact that they are not fully recognized (Israel doesn’t recognize them). They entered the Rio 2016 Olyimpics, Peyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics and Eurovision Young Dancers 2011.
They also entered the 2018 FIFA World Cup UEFA’s qualification.
3 in 1: Today is American Independence Day, Polina Bogusevich’s birthday, and the last day to apply for Malta’s version of the X Factor. 😮
Woohoo 12 points to Albania every year and vice-versa! This will be an even stronger bond than Cyprus-Greece! Just what we need more of!
As much as I’d love to see Kosovo take part in Eurovision, I don’t thinking it will happen yet. Their status is disputed by two/three participating countries who obviously won’t take Kosovo participation well. The whole International Telecommunications Union would be a problem for them too and budget constraints could also limit their participation. I would rather see them debut when they can afford to participate regularly, rather than a half thought out debut, followed by a withdrawal for years over financial difficulties. However the issue of Kosovo taking part has come up every single year since they got independence… Read more »
Romania doesn’t recognize Kosovo, but what is the problem? Kosovo must be in ESC, inclusion is the word, don’t worry, nobody will withdraw, not even Serbia after 2018 qualification. Forget the haters, i hate the haters, every winner has a better life and a bigger pocket after ESC, it is the biggest non-sport event on the planet for a reason.
Rita Ora was born in Kosovo and she tried out for the UK in 2009 (back when she was unknown)
To further add: Kosovo had dabbled in an EBU event in the not so distant past as they have been invited to take part in Eurovision Young Dancers back in 2011. Thus, an arrangement can be made if Eurovision participation is concerned and if that is the intention of the Kosovar broadcaster.
However, if the intention is more about the additional benefits that comes with membership such as being able to acquire syndicated programming content, etc. then that is a a whole topic in itself.
israel’s broadcaster isn’t even in the ebu, let kosovo have a go