Acting Director General of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), Zana Spahiu, met with EBU Deputy Director General Jean Philip De Tender and Eurovision Director Martin Green during the 96th EBU General Assembly in Prague. They discussed RTK’s membership application. Although RTK was not admitted to the European Broadcasting Union, the Assembly approved a new Auxiliary Membership category. This could provide an additional pathway for Kosovo’s public broadcaster to join the organisation in the future.
No membership decision yet, but talks continue
According to Spahiu, the meeting discussed the official request that RTK submitted last month for the possibilities of membership in the EBU. Acting Director General of RTK Zana Spahiu says:
“The EBU representatives expressed their willingness to discuss ways in which this issue can be further addressed, taking into account the recent developments within the organization itself,”
Spahiu also emphasized that the changes demonstrate that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is becoming more open to broadcasters. Previously had limited opportunities to join the organisation. She argues that RTK has already demonstrated its organizational and creative capabilities through Kosovo’s national Song Festival – Festivali i Këngës në RTK. Festival has been held for three consecutive years with the aim of serving as the country’s future Eurovision selection.
She said RTK believes the time has come for Kosovo to join the EBU and participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. She also stressed that music, culture and sport should unite people rather than become political issues.
Kosovo broadcaster to continue accession process
Spahiu reaffirmed RTK’s commitment to joining the EBU. She said the broadcaster will continue taking the institutional and professional steps needed to secure Kosovo’s future participation in Eurovision.
This year’s General Assembly also approved amendments to the EBU Statute, creating new membership categories for public broadcasters. The EBU confirmed that CBC/Radio-Canada joined with full membership rights. Catalonia’s public broadcaster, 3Cat, was also given a pathway to join the organisation.
Kosovar presence at Eurovision
While Kosovo has yet to participate at Eurovision, there has been Kosovan presence at Eurovision-related events before. Most notably, Kosovo was invited to join Eurovision Young Dancers in 2011 in Norway. In the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, four acts from Kosovo have taken part.
The first of these is Rona Nishliu, who represented Albania but was originally from Mitrovica in the north of Kosovo. Nishliu finished 5th in 2012, which is Albania’s best result to date. Similarly, Lindita Halimi is from Viti in Eastern Kosovo but represented Albania five years later in Kyiv, though she failed to qualify from the semi-final. Kosovar-born Nevena Božović has represented Serbia at Eurovision three times, first at Junior Eurovision in 2007, then at Eurovision 2013 as part of Moje 3, and then as a soloist at Eurovision 2019.
The most recent Kosovar participation came in the form of Albania’s 2023 representatives, Albina and Familja Kelmendi. Albina was born in Pejë, in the western part of Kosovo. The family represented Albania at Eurovision 2023 with the song “Duje” which finished in 22nd place with 76 points.
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News source: rtklive.com
Photo credit: RTK
Thomas James 
Silvia Stifini 
Rory Gannon