Azerbaijan to ensure Armenians' security at Eurovision

The Azerbaijani government will ensure the security of Armenians who will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports has said.

"If Armenia refuses to participate in the contest, it is its business," Azad Rahimov was quoted by the Azerbaijani news agency Trend as saying.

Azerbaijani duo Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal (Ell / Nikki) won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with their pop-ballad "Running Scared" which means the next Eurovision song contest will take place in Baku.

Azerbaijan’s win at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 has kicked up online discussions, raising questions related to security of the Armenian contestant – if Armenia decides to attend the song contest this year – as well that of fans that would like to go to Baku.