Putin offered to pay for the equivalent of "Euro Vision"

Organizers of the "Euro Vision" Vladimir Putin offered to buy the rights to the format of the competition, reminded that it is their intellectual property. At a meeting of the heads of the SCO, Putin suggested the Asian equivalent of the Eurovision Song Contest to be organized. Offered organizers of the "Euro Vision" Vladimir Putin, buy the rights to the format of the competition, said Infox reference to the Associated Press. Russian at a meeting of the heads of the SCO Premier made a suggestion to organize a similar Asian European Song Contest "Intervision". According to Putin, this should contribute to strengthening the cultural relations of the peoples of Russia, China and Central Asia. The proposal has the support of the participants. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - owner of "Euro Vision" - first released a statement supporting Putin's initiative, but now the director of television EBU Bjørn Erichsen said that the format of the event is the intellectual property of the Union, and offered for the right it pay to use. Premiere of "Inter Vision" is planned for March 2010. Previously, the idea of the competition was discussed at a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the SCO member states. While it is unclear whether the new competition involved only members of the SCO, and its geography is wider. According to the press-service of "Channel" "Intervision" contest is the reincarnation of "Five Stars", which was held for four years, and unite artists from the CIS countries. Channel management has expressed its willingness to take over the organization in terms of competition.