GENEVA, Switzerland (VIP NEWS) Romania has been expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest after its national broadcaster failed to pay outstanding debts dating back to 2007.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) claimed the Romanian public service broadcaster Televiziunea Romana (TVR) owes 16 million Swiss francs.
The EBU described the action to exclude Romania from next month`s contest in Sweden as "regrettable".
Romania has never won the contest, but came third in 2005 and 2010.
Ovidiu Anton was due to perform Moment of Silence at this year`s contest in Stockholm in 12 May.
The EBU had called on the Romanian government to make satisfactory arrangements to repay the debt by April 20th. The organisation regards the Romanian State as legally obliged to underwrite TVR`s debt.
`Disappointing`
"It is regrettable that we are forced to take this action," said EBU director general Ingrid Deltenre.
"We are disappointed that all our attempts to resolve this matter have received no response from the Romanian government.
"In recent weeks the EBU has taken note of the Ministry of Finance`s suggestion that TVR may be placed into insolvency proceedings which may in turn lead to a profound restructuring of the broadcaster.
"The EBU is a not-for-profit association which represents 73 public service broadcasters in 56 countries. The continued indebtedness of TVR jeopardizes the financial stability of the EBU itself."
The Romanian broadcaster will also lose access to other EBU member services, including the Eurovision News and Sports News and the right to broadcast specific sporting events.
