Barroso names Borg maritime, fisheries commissioner

European Commissioner Joe Borg was yesterday assigned the fisheries and maritime affairs portfolio by European Commission President designate José Manuel Barroso.

A contented Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who had discussed the portfolio issue with Mr Barroso earlier on, said the government was very satisfied with the appointment.

Dr Borg himself said he was pleased with his new post.

Mr Barroso told a press conference in Brussels yesterday the appointments were made following detailed consultations with each commissioner and were aimed at building a strong team-spirit.

"The new Commission (which takes over in November) is solid and politically experienced. It brings together people from across the political spectrum and contains more women than ever before," he said.

Mr Barroso has introduced certain organisational changes and said the new Commission had been designed to achieve clear results for Europe's citizens and to give Europe a stronger voice in the world.

One of his top priorities is to strengthen the European economy. He said that the Lisbon strategy to make Europe the world's most competitive economy by 2010 was not on target and that the Commission and member states must deliver better results. He said he would personally coordinate all the efforts aimed at revitalising the Lisbon strategy.

Mr Barroso's new EU executive will have five vice-presidents. Günther Verheugen, currently EU enlargement chief, was appointed Enterprise and Industry Commissioner as well as vice-president - the German will also chair groups of commissioners on economic issues. Taking a high-profile post as Europe braces for a series of key referenda on an EU constitution, Swedish Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström returns to Brussels as vice-president and Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, with a brief to sell Europe to its citizens.

French Commissioner Jacques Barrot returns as EU transport chief and a vice-president.

Estonia's Siim Kallas is another vice-president, taking over Neil Kinnock's anti-corruption job as Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud.

Newcomer to the Commission Rocco Buttiglione, Italy's former Europe minister, was also given a vice-presidency as EU justice chief.

British Commissioner Peter Mandelson has been made responsible for trade.

Contacted by The Times while on holiday in San Francisco, Dr Borg voiced his satisfaction at the confidence shown in him by Mr Barroso. He said he had been informed about his new portfolio by Mr Barroso himself in a telephone conversation two days ago.

He said he accepted the offer as it included two very important areas of responsibility for the EU which were also directly linked to Malta and its Mediterranean dimension.

His new job responsibilities were also in line with what he had sought, he added, saying he was pleased that apart from managing the fisheries policy of the EU, he would also be coordinating a new policy for the maritime sector including aspects directly related to maritime safety and the preservation of the environment.

Fisheries, he said, had its own directorate general which would make his job "a little bit easier to administer as there is already an established organisation". The commissioner responsible for fisheries had a direct responsibility and was expected to take decisions and propose new policies which had a direct impact on EU legislation, he said.

Asked about Malta's role in maritime affairs especially in view of the fact that Malta has one of the largest shipping registers, Dr Borg said although he would be looking at maritime affairs from a European perspective he still felt that through his role he could contribute towards improving the reputation of the Maltese flag worldwide. Through his coordinating role, he would be looking at proposing new maritime initiatives relevant both to Europe and Malta.

Dr Gonzi said fisheries and maritime affairs were two areas closely related to Malta's history and economy and it was an honour to have a Maltese in charge of these affairs on a European level.

He said Mr Barroso's announcement sent a bold message that there would be no difference between commissioners coming from large and small states. Dr Borg would also be chairing a very important task force, which would include other commissioners and high-profile EU officers, in order to develop a Green Paper on maritime policy. This was very relevant for Malta, the Prime Minister said.

The new Commission will meet for the first time for an informal session on Friday in Brussels. It must gain the confidence of and win approval from the European Parliament before November 1.

Commissioners will appear in individual hearings before parliamentary committees. These will take place in the two weeks beginning September 27. Once the Parliament has given its approval, the team will work on developing its political vision and formulate a detailed programme for the next five years.