All the political groups in the European Parliament yesterday officially recognised the good impression Tonio Borg left in his hearing in Brussels on Tuesday, but pointed to his personal beliefs as a sticking point.
Some – particularly the Greens, former communists and certain factions within the Socialist group – are still lobbying against his approval as European Commissioner as they think Dr Borg’s “philosophy of life” is a problem.
According to the evaluation letter of the hearing, published yesterday, the majority of members of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee – the lead committee evaluating Dr Borg’s acumen for the job – expressed their support for Malta’s nomination.
However, according to the committee chairman, Socialist MEP Matthias Groote, to assure Dr Borg’s nomination, the Commissioner-designate still had to publicly reaffirm certain issues.
Sources told The Times Dr Borg had received a letter from EP president Martin Schultz asking him to declare in writing seven points already mentioned in the hearing by Dr Borg himself.
These include a commitment on important legislative proposals and their timing, and respecting certain rights, particularly those regarding sexual orientation and women.
Contacted yesterday, Dr Borg said he did not wish to comment on his nomination at this stage.
However, sources close to the Commissioner-designate said Dr Borg should have no problem with this declaration as he had already given these assurances during his hearing.
According to Mr Groote, the three committees evaluating Dr Borg expressed a generally positive assessment based on the evaluation criteria such as general competence, European commitment, personal independence, knowledge of the prospective portfolio and cooperation with the EP.
He said some members had also expressed concerns on issues not directly linked to the commissioner’s portfolio.
Shedding more light on the objections against Dr Borg, a spokesman for the Green group yesterday explained that although his performance left no doubt he was competent to hold the office of commissioner, “his personal philosophy of life is a problem”.
“Dr Borg’s views on certain important political aspects for the Greens, such as reproductive health and abortion, are of concern to us and we don’t agree with his philosophy of life.
“We don’t think his views will change in the coming week and so we are not keen on his nomination,” the spokesman said.
The EP wants Dr Borg to declare:
• The delivery of the legislative proposal on tobacco products by January 2013.
• The adoption of legislative proposals on animal cloning and novel food by mid-2013.
• Better enforcement of EU law, in particular on cases of animal transport.
• The full respect of the March 2013 deadline for the ban on animal testing for cosmetics.
• To fully respect to abide by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as EU anti-discrimination legislation and case law.
• To recognise the innate dignity of all EU citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or distinctions mentioned in Article 21, and to treat as a Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs Policy and as a member of the College of Commissioners, all EU citizens fairly and equally; actively work to address health inequalities, and act against stigmatisation of people suffering from HIV/Aids.
• To actively support EU policies with regards to women’s rights.