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Gonzi denies keeping Joe Borg in the dark

'I certainly was not informed'

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has denied not giving "clear indications" to European Commissioner Joe Borg about plans to appoint John Dalli as his successor in Brussels.

"While understanding Dr Borg's disappointment at not being reappointed, the Prime Minister regrets that statements were made implying he had not given Dr Borg clear indications as to his thinking, which is not the case," a spokesman for Dr Gonzi said.

"Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has and continues to have a high sense of respect and gratitude towards Dr Borg, who performed his duties as commissioner in the best possible manner."

The spokesman seemed to imply that consultations were carried out with Dr Borg himself: "Every decision, including the nomination of Malta's commissioner, is taken in the best interest of the country and the timing of these decisions and the consultations carried out - including with Dr Borg - were always subject to this consideration."

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Dr Borg said he learned about Mr Dalli's nomination because his wife was watching the evening news on TV.

He said the least he deserved was to be told he was not even being considered for the post.

Clearly hurt, Dr Borg uncharacteristically said: "I have to say that the manner in which the decision was taken and, even worse, how it was sought to be justified afterwards, continues to baffle me."

He said the very least he had expected was an unequivocal reply that he was not being considered for the post, rather than being led to believe that he was in the frame by the Prime Minister.

Seemingly contradicting Dr Gonzi's statement that the only people in the running for the post were Mr Dalli, Malta's Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana and former Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, Dr Borg said: "A couple of months ago I was informed that only two possible scenarios were being considered: one was the nomination of a Cabinet minister and the other was my re-nomination. If in the last days and weeks the situation had changed I certainly was not informed."

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