Karmenu Vella has been given responsibility for the environment, fisheries and maritime affairs in the new European Commission.
The list of portfolios was formally announced by new Commission president-elect Jean-Claude Juncker.
His announcement ends weeks of speculation which culminated yesterday when Reuters reported that according to its draft list, the Maltese commissioner was to be given responsibility for youth and multilingualism.
The European Commission said a number of portfolios have been reshaped and streamlined. Significantly, the Environment and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries portfolios have been combined under Karmenu Vella, to reflect the twin logic of "Blue" and "Green" Growth – "environment and maritime conservation policies can and should play a key role in creating jobs, preserving resources, stimulating growth and encouraging investment."
"Protecting the environment and maintaining our competitiveness have to go hand-in-hand, both are about a sustainable future," the commission said.
This will be the second time that a Maltese commissioner will be responsible for fisheries, the first having been Joe Borg who also had responsibility for maritime affairs. It will be the first time that a Maltese will also be responsible for the environment, which for Malta includes the hot topic of hunting.
Outgoing commissioner Tonio Borg was responsible for health and consumer affairs, having taken over from John Dalli.
The European Parliament still has to question and approve the commissioners, who will help shape policy for 500 million Europeans in the 28-country bloc.
EU leaders have already named Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as the bloc's foreign policy chief.
Mr Vella (b.1950) stepped down from his position as Minister of Tourism after his nomination to the College of Commissioners was announced, but he is expected to stay on as an MP until his appointment as commissioner is confirmed. He was first elected in 1976.
An architect by profession, Mr Vella also served as Works Minister and Industry Minister in the governments of Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
In a statement, Din l-Art Helwa congratulated Mr Vella and trusted he would now devote his energy to championing environmental causes across the European Union, including in Malta where, ironically, environmental concerns ranked very low on the government’s agenda.
Din l-Art Helwa said it acknowledged the formidable challenge presented to Mr Vella, and would be closely following the progress of this sector.