The winning song of Julie Zahra and Ludwig Galea, On Again... Off Again, has just been recorded in the studios of Jupiter Records in Germany while the giant music label BMG (Germany) will be responsible for the CD's distribution.

The deal was struck after composer Philip Vella and author Gerard James Borg landed a contract with Jupiter Records for the production, recording and promotion of the CD.

Maltasong chairman Grace Borg said that this year the organising committee had offered the winning team a choice over who should record and produce the song.

International promotion of the song is expected to start in earnest in the coming days, Ms Borg said.

After winning the Song for Europe festival last month, life for the successful duo has become a whirlwind of events as Maltasong lines up a number of promotional trips abroad.

The singers are in Latvia and tonight they will be singing their song during the country's own song for Europe festival, whose winner will represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Upon their return the two will be immersed in the recording of the video which will start on Tuesday.

Ms Borg promised that the video would be a professional product and there would be no blatant advertising. However, there would be a focus on Malta's cultural gems.

The three-minute video is expected to be launched by mid-March in time for the meeting of chairmen in Istanbul later in the month.

Malta's presence in the Eurovision final on May 15 is not guaranteed this year since Malta did not place among the top 10 songs in last year's contest in Latvia.

However, Malta still has a chance if Ms Zahra and Mr Galea put on a good show during the preliminary phase, which will be held a few days before, on May 12.