YEREVAN. - A total of 12 countries confirmed participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Yerevan, Armenia on December 3, organizers of the competition told BELTA agency.

Young artists from Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Georgia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Russia, San Marino, Sweden and Ukraine will participate in the song contest.

According to the source, representatives of broadcasting organizations from 12 countries met in Geneva and discussed some changes in the children’s song contest.

Broadcasters from all over Europe are faced with the consequences of the financial crisis and reduction of funds allocated to the organization and preparation of the national selection. “Despite this, we are grateful for the support of countries in sufficient number of participants in the competition. We are confident in its potential,” an observer from European Broadcasting Union said.

According to the organizers, this year San Marino joined the song competition, while several other countries refused to participate.

Artists from 14 countries attended Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Minsk.