Tonio Borg’s consumer affairs portfolio will be partly ceded to the new Croatian designate commissioner from July, the European Commission said yesterday.

Speaking to The Times yesterday, Dr Borg – who will now become known as Health Commissioner – said he was not surprised with the move since he was told of this change upon his nomination last year.

Neven Mimica is the nominee of Croatia, which is expected to become the 28th member of the EU in July.

“This was always the plan and I was told by President Barroso on day one of his intentions to split my portfolio as soon as Croatia becomes a member,” he said.

According to EU rules, all member states are entitled to nominate a member on the executive.

Dr Borg shot down suggestions that Jose Manoel Barroso’s decision might be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his abilities.

“Even my predecessor John Dalli had been told the same thing by President Barroso,” he said.

Mr Mimica, who is currently Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister, will assume his new duties in Brussels after a grilling session in front of MEPs.

Dr Borg said he has already met Mr Mimica and started the handing over process of the consumer affairs dossier.

The mandate of the current Commission comes to an end in October 2014.