Eurovision Song Contest opens Ukrainian borders

Geneva, 1 April 2005 -  Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has signed a decree to give visa-free access to the country for a limited period to all citizens of the European Union and Switzerland. 

The move by Viktor Yushchenko has been motivated by the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held for the first time in Ukraine on 19 and 21 May 2005. 

In order to cope with the thousands of fans and participants who will flock to the country, Yushchenko offered this move in talks with the EBU TV Director Bjørn Erichsen and Svante Stockselius, the executive supervisor of the Song Contest. The EBU is the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, the largest television show on the continent. The Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 50th anniversary later this year. 

This temporary decree is meant to illustrate the new openness of Ukrainian society and the country's intention to integrate the European community. It will also create a foundation for attracting investment in the national economy, trigger the active development of interpersonal contacts, "people's diplomacy", and tourism.

Under the president's decree, signed on 31 March, the visa-free entrance regime for the citizens of the EU and Switzerland will be operational from 1 May until 1 September 2005. The president's office announced that the measures are to "provide appropriate logistical support in the framework of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005".

Before this visa-free period enters into force, Ukraine will conduct a thorough analysis of all aspects of the visa-free regime with the objective of lifting travel restrictions between Ukraine, the EU and Switzerland.

For further information:

EBU, Aline Ingwersen, Media Officer
+41 (0)79 774 8644
ingwersen@ebu.ch

NTU, Marko Markovic, Press Officer
 +380 67 404 2502
markom@ntu.com.ua

The official Eurovision Song Contest web site: www.eurovision.tv

fd/ nc