Social Policy Minister John Dalli had a private meeting with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso in Brussels, yesterday.

His unannounced visit to Brussels fuels speculation that Mr Dalli is the favourite to become Malta's next European Commissioner succeeding Joe Borg.

The Times has been told that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi offered the job to Mr Dalli a few days ago.

Contacted in Brussels, Mr Dalli would not comment on whether he would accept the €220,000 salaried post. He only confirmed that he had talks with Mr Barroso.

"My comment for the moment is no comment," he said when asked whether he was set to become Malta's next European Commissioner.

Sources close to the Commission said Mr Dalli discussed his possible portfolio in the next Commission with Mr Barroso, who exclusively assigns each portfolio.

Mr Dalli's possible appointment has been making the rounds for the past months.

Mr Dalli, who turned 61 last month, is the most senior minister in the Cabinet having served in ministerial positions since 1987. He held the finance portfolio for more than 10 years and was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister for a few months before resigning in July 2004, following allegations about the purchase of airline tickets by his ministry.

Together with Dr Gonzi and Speaker Louis Galea he had also contested the leadership of the Nationalist Party when Eddie Fenech Adami stepped down in early 2004.

It is still unknown when will Dr Gonzi officially announce Mr Dalli's nomination although this now seems to be imminent, possibly even before tomorrow's extraordinary summit for EU leaders in Brussels when they will decide who will be the new EU President and foreign affairs chief.

Sweden and Ireland announced their nominees yesterday.

Sweden chose current European Affairs Minister Cecilia Malstrom and Ireland will be sending Máire Geoghegan-Quinn who represents her country on the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg.