Will Malta be divided into regions?

Malta had originally submitted that, for the purposes of collection of statistics, it should be considered as one single region at Nuts 1 level and three separate regions under Nuts 2 and 3, namely, Malta Majjistral, Malta Xlokk and Gozo (including the island of Comino).

This request was subsequently changed and, instead, Malta and Gozo as an entire country will be classified as one unit at the levels of Nuts 1 and 2. On the other hand, Malta and Gozo will be considered as separate regions at Nuts 3 level. This was accepted by the EU even though, as such, Gozo has a much smaller population than a typical Nuts 3 region. On the other hand, this was accepted by Malta on the understanding that, in addition to this classification, a Protocol or specific arrangement for the island of Gozo will be negotiated.