Armenian Ambassador disappointed over EBU statement

12 May, 2016

Armenian Ambassador to Sweden Artak Apitonian gave interview to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, reflecting on the Eurovision 2016 Armenian representative Iveta Mukuchyan’s demonstration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic flag in the live transmission of the first semi-final as well as the following statement by the organizers of the song contest.

The paper writes that the demonstration of the flag resulted in a political controversy, while the Armenian Ambassador slamming the decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), producer of the Eurovision Song Contest.

To remind, on May 11, the EBU issued a statement, condemning Iveta Mukuchyan’s actions and announcing sanctions handed down to AMPTV to be decided at the next meeting of the Eurovision Reference Group in June. EBU also warned that Armenia could be disqualified for a further breach of the rule this year.

“I am quite disappointed over the decision. The incident was inappropriately exaggerated. Getting back to Iveta’s press conference, it turns out that the singer waved the flag out of merely humanitarian considerations,” Apitonian told as quoted by the Swedish paper.

The Ambassador further argued that the incident was indeed politicized after the speech by Deputy Director of the Azerbaijani TV Company, who was the one who delivered an imbalanced and excited political speech.”

Asked whether the April escalation around the Nagorno Karabakh was a factor which added sensitivity to the fact of waving the flag, Apitonian noted: “Quite the opposite, the escalation of the conflict makes it urgent to raise humanitarian issues. We should consider that as well.”

To Apitonian, the European Broadcasting Union succumbed to the pressure by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, while EBU event manager Sieste Bakker dismissed the claim, suggesting the EBU decision was in line with democratic principals.

“With all due respect to the Ambassador, I do not share his views and hope he will consider our divergences,” Mrs. Bakker told, recalling the EBU statement calling the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh as tense and therefore the appearance of the flag viewed as a serious breach of Rule 1.2.2h of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The relative rule states, "no messages promoting any organization, institution, political cause or other, company, brand, products or services shall be allowed in the Shows".

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