27/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) denied reports in the European press that the European Commission was “considering making a link between the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Role and the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Helsinki in May 2007” (the formal adoption of a policy statement, it will be recalled, is scheduled for the Berlin Summit in May 2007 to celebrate this anniversary). In a press release, the EBU “strongly refutes the idea that such a link could be possible”, since the Eurovision Song Contest is an independent television show which “cannot convey any political message”. In addition, around half the participating national broadcasters are from countries which are not EU Member States, the press release points out. However, Bjorn Erichsen, director of the EBU Television Department, said, “Should the European Commission wish to cooperate with he EBU in celebrating its anniversary, the EBU will be more than willing to approach its members to develop a specific programme for that purpose, as was done on 1 April 2004 to celebrate the enlargement of the European Union from 15 to 25 countries”.