Brussels, 24/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Ombudsman, Jacob Soederman, has asked the European Commission's statistical office, Eurostat, to reconsider the classification of the Isle of Wight. He considers Eurostat's decision not to classify this island separately in the Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics (NUTS) to be contrary to the Treaty in the sense that it fails to respect the special consideration that should be given to islands according to the EC Treaty. The Ombudsman's decision follows a complaint that he received from the Isle of Wight Council in December 1998. The complaint stressed that the island was disadvantaged when being considered for European funding from structural aids by being treated as part of the Hampshire region. Recognition of the island as a separate entity would make it eligible for Objective 1. The European Commission has until 31 June 2000 to respond to Mr. Soederman's recommendation.