An urgent extraordinary meeting will be held on Saturday to discuss the participation of foreign composers and authors in the next Malta Eurovision Festival.

The Union of Composers and Authors (UKAM) is calling the meeting for its members after Public Broadcasting Services announced fresh proposals allowing foreigners the chance to submit one song, while their Maltese counterparts can submit up to four.

This proposal, one of many in a drive by PBS to reverse Malta’s recent losing streak, will be among the issues that will be discussed during the meeting.

The proposed regulations are expected to be finalised by PBS today.

Foreign participation has been a sticking point for years. In 2005, UKAM threatened to boycott the contest if foreign composers and authors were allowed to compete in the Maltese festival. A compromise was later found thanks to a reciprocity clause through which composers from countries that allowed Maltese in their contest were able to take part.

Saturday’s meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the Vilhena Band Club in Floriana.

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