The decision was confirmed by representatives of the nine National Olympic Committees who are currently in San Marino for this year's Games.

The martial art will make its debut at the 2021 edition in Andorra.

World Karate Federation (WKF) President Antonio Espinós made trips to both Andorra and San Marino earlier this year to discuss the sport's potential inclusion.

"We are thrilled that karate is going to be part of the Games of the Small States of Europe," said the Spaniard. 

"We are sure that karate will bring an added value to the event, and we are especially pleased for the opportunity to feature karate’s sportsmanship, spectacularity and virtue on this great stage. 

"This decision is yet one more recognition for karate and a further example of the increasing relevance of our sport.

"I want to thank Small States of Europe Karate Federation President Andreas Vasileiou for his hard work and his efforts to make possible this great news for all the karate family."

Karate will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 after being accepted to the programme for the first time in August.

The sport will also be included at the Buenos Aires 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

A biennial multi-sport event, the Games of the Small States of Europe features Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino.

Countries must have populations under one million to compete.

After this year's edition in San Marino, the biennial event will move to Montenegro's capital Pogdorica in 2019.