EuroVisionary.com - Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest - We welcome the 2009 Contest in Moscow

Moscow has been approved by the EBU reference group as a suitable host for the 2009 contest.  The decision was taken when the group met today in Moscow. The green light was also given to the Olympiski Arena as venue which was proposed by host broadcaster, Channel One.

It already seems certain that the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will take place without Georgia due to the recent conflict with Russia over the two breakaway regions.  Rumours are today surfacing that Poland may join with it's Baltic neighbours in considering a withdrawal from the 2009 edition.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has reacted to Georgian and Estonian politicians that they shouldn't get involved with whether or not a country is to participate next year. This is not a place for politics, Svante Stockselius says. 

British newspapers have been filled with negative stories about Eurovision since Sunday morning last but while many have had little or no substance today's article about voting safeguards in the Times raises serious issues. 

Serbia prepares for two major events in the next two weeks, a pre-term parliamentary election on May 11th and, of course, the Eurovision Song Contest, for which rehearsals start the same day. Carl Bildt and Svante Stockselius discussed safety in relation to Belgrade last night on Swedish TV.