The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that they are in talks with Turkish broadcaster TRT with the hope that the nation will return to Eurovision.
Turkey last participated at Eurovision in 2012, where Can Bonomo represented the nation with Love Me Back. The nation has a rich history at Eurovision, participating 34 times, including a win back in 2003. Sertab Erener won the contest with the song ‘Every Way That I Can’.
Despite not being present at Eurovision since 2012, the contest has maintained popularity in Turkey. The EBU stated that the large engagement from the Turkish fans encouraged them to re-enter talks with the broadcaster. Read the full statement below:
‘Although the EBU’s Turkish Member TRT hasn’t participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2012 we know there is still huge interest in Turkey in the Contest underlined by the large amount of engagement on our social channels from Turkish fans.
With that in mind, we are in contact with TRT with the aim of bringing them back into the competition.
TRT has made a huge contribution to the Contest in the past, including hosting the event in Istanbul in 2004, and we would very much welcome them back should they decide to participate again.’