Over the last six months, there have been talks of not one debut in Israel, but three – however this will be unlikely in our eyes, maybe one or two if we are lucky.

Kosovo

Last week, RTK (the Kosovo Broadcaster) spoke to members of the European Broadcasting Union ahead of this week’s General Assembly in regards to full membership.

Mentor Shala, the Director General from RTK stated:

“We had a meeting with EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot, with whom we discussed the General Assembly held at the end of this month, and the possibility that RTK becomes a full-fledged member of the EBU and we participate in the European Eurovision Song Contest next year.”

While the likes of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia have opposed Kosovo’s participation, other nations would be happy to see Kosovo at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Liechtenstein

Back in November, 1FLTV announced their plans to enter the Contest in 2019, with full EBU membership gained before 2018 had ended. The target of a debut in 2019 revolves around the 300th anniversary of the formation of Liechtenstein.

A National Selection, the Liechtenstein Music Contest, would supposedly start later this year to select their participant and song.

New Zealand

For us, New Zealand is the most unlikely debutant. It all boils down to new trade agreements between themselves and the European Union. While trade agreements is one thing, the European Union has nothing to do with the European Broadcasting Union – therefore, a New Zealand debut can wait until the Eurovision Asia Song Contest finally materialises.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: ESCXTRA and Eurovoix