Former EU Commissioner Joe Borg was approached by the Government to head Malta’s 2017 EU presidency, but the Administration is getting cold feet following his appointment to a Nationalist commission, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

Dr Borg, a former foreign affairs minister at the heart of crucial EU negotiations 10 years ago, was contacted by the new EU affairs minister Louis Grech days after the Labour Party swept to power.

Dr Borg is interested in contributing to Malta’s EU presidency, and set out a number of proposals if he were to accept the role, among which he suggested the need to have cross-party participation.

The PN commission should not be a consideration

Dr Borg even prepared a confidential report mapping a way forward, which he sent to the Government.

A Government spokesman said Dr Borg’s nomination was still being considered with “other options” adopted overseas.

Meanwhile, Dr Borg was approached by PN leader Simon Busuttil to head a commission to select Nationalist Party election candidates for next year’s MEP elections.

Sources said the Government was upset that Dr Borg had failed to inform it of his new role within the Nationalist Party.

It was also weighing the potential political backlash of appointing a former Nationalist minister, especially after the negative reaction from Labour supporters after it appointed Lou Bondi to a board.

It is understood that appointing two chairmen to head Malta’s EU presidency is also an option being considered.

Dr Borg confirmed he had been approached and that the ball was now in the Government’s court.

Asked whether he felt his appointment to the PN commission had scuppered his chances, Dr Borg said: “If the Government wants to appoint me because it feels I can make a valid contribution, then this PN commission should not be a consideration.

“Ultimately, the Government knows what’s best.”

Dr Borg served as Malta’s first European Commissioner in 2004 and expressed disappointment five years later on not being reappointed following a successful term, saying at the time he had learnt the news only after his wife had seen a report on television.

One political observer said the latest developments were interesting because the Labour Government had again wanted to give the impression it was appointing “disgruntled” political opponents, while the Nationalist Party this time round was quick on the draw and embraced Dr Borg by appointing him to a commission.

“Dr Borg made it clear he did not want to be used as a political pawn to undermine the Nationalist Party,” sources said.