Maltese to head US lobby group to EU

John Vassallo, a former Maltese ambassador to the EU and currently director of the European Affairs Office of the American multinational General Electric (GE), has been appointed chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union. Known in Brussels as AmCham EU, this chamber is considered to be the second largest lobby group representing industry in the EU.

Speaking to The Times yesterday from his office at Rond-Point Schuman, the centre of the EU quarters in Brussels, Mr Vassallo said he feels very honoured to have been appointed to this important post.

"American companies have a long history of doing business in and with Europe and today US companies directly employ 4.1 million people in Europe. Over the years, AmCham EU has built a deserved reputation as being one of the key sources of knowledge and advice for policy-makers across Europe. I am determined to reinforce and enhance this reputation."

AmCham EU represents American business interests in all the 27 member states of the EU and has among its members large companies such as GE, Microsoft, Honeywell and IBM. It has 140 companies on its membership list.

Mr Vassallo, who also occupies the post of national executive for the Benelux and Malta at GE, left his ambassadorial post in 1997. Previously, he held top positions in the private sector in Sweden and Belgium.