After much debate, Armenia has applied to participate in the 57th Eurovision 2012 International Song Contest. On Tuesday the official website of Eurovision (www. eurovision.tv) posted the list of the countries which have applied to take part in the song contest to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan this May; Armenia is among the participants.

Armenia, which has participated in the song contest organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for six years, this year hesitated. The reluctance to compete was influenced by last year’s Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) Youth World Championships in Baku, when the Azeri side threw stones in the direction of the Armenian delegation.

Head of the Eurovision Armenian office Gohar Gasparyan said on Tuesday that “the names of the countries which are posted show that Armenia, as usual has applied for participation in the contest.” However, Gasparyan did not provide more detailed information, saying that in the nearest future they will make a corresponding statement.

People who are responsible for the organization of Eurovision have earlier stated that they are not entitled to provide security guarantees; however, they have already received assurances from the prime minister of Azerbaijan for the security of all delegations.

On May 15, 2011, Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal of Ell/Nikki from Azerbaijan were voted the winners at Eurovision 2011 in Dusseldorf, Germany, performing their song called ‘Running Scared’, and thanks to their victory the Eurovision 2012 International Song Contest will be held in Azerbaijan on May 22-26.