Foreign Minister Tonio Borg bid farewell to the Maltese Parliament this evening, telling MPs in his final speech on the adjournment that this was an arrivederci and not an addio.

In an address with brought the curtain down on a 20-year parliamentary career, Dr Borg said there was no greater honour than to be elected by the people to be their representative in Parliament.

He delivered his speech in the presence of his wife, children and some 60 friends who watched from the Strangers' Gallery.

Dr Borg said he had not sought his new position as European Commissioner but had taken up the challenge at the request of the prime minister in the national interest.

Over the past three weeks he felt very close to students, having, like them, to study hard, submit himself to examination and suffer the anxiety of waiting for the result.

Dr Borg recalled his maiden speech in the House after the 1992 general election, when he had said that the outcome of that election was not somebody's victory or somebody's defeat, but a celebration of democracy.

It was the principles of democracy which he had always sought to project in the House during the highs and the lows.

He said he never meant to hurt anyone, inside or outside the House, and he apologised to those who felt he had failed them.

Dr Borg went over his political career, expressing his gratitude to Eddie Fenech Adami and Lawrence Gonzi for having appointed him minister.

He said he was proud to have played a role for Malta to join the European Union and, over the past eight years, in its integration in the Union and the Schengen zone, ensuring that Malta was able to punch above its weight.

He admitted that he would have been happier had the process for his nomination to serve as Commissioner been smoother, but, ultimately, good sense had prevailed . It had been shown that in the EU, one could still become commissioner despite having a philosophy of life which was different from that of a few. (applause)

Dr Borg expressed his satisfaction over the laws he had piloted, particularly the reforms in the police force, the law courts and the prisons in his years as Minister of Justice and Home Affairs.

He thanked the Labour MPs who were shadow ministers while he was minister of home affairs, justice and foreign affairs, as well as Leader of the House.

He also expressed gratitude to his collaborators, the parliamentary and ministerial staff, and especially his constituents in the eighth and eleventh districts.

He expressed particular gratitude to his wife Adele for having accompanied him throughout his political life, serving as his first class customer care officer.

He promised that while he would loyally serve the EU as commissioner, he would continue to take a close interest in Malta's affairs.

Concluding, Dr Borg said the satisfaction he got in the past 20 years was in being in a position to help others achieve what they were entitled for and deserved.

MPs from both sides of the House congratulated Dr Borg at the end of his speech.

Dr Borg was elected from five general elections since 1992 and served as minister for 18 months between 1995-96 and for the 14 years since 1998.

He will tomorrow submit his letter of resignation from the Cabinet to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and then call on the Speaker to submit his resignation letter from the House.

He is expected to take up his new post in Brussels on Friday.