The nomination of Tonio Borg as European Commissioner is expected to be given the green light by the European Parliament in the wake of this afternoon's three-hour hearing by MEPs in Brussels.
EP sources confirmed to timesofmalta.com that the MEPs evaluating Dr Borg had made a positive assessment of the Maltese foreign minister..
"The IMCO (Internal market) group coordinators have decided to give a positive assessment of Dr Borg's performance and will be recommending a green light," one MEP said.
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The Environment committee, the lead committee assessing Dr Borg's assessment is still meeting but sources also said that their assessment will be positive.
According to the chairman of the Committee, Mattias Groote, Dr Borg performed 'brilliantly'.
"There is no reason whatsoever to reject Dr Borg's nomination", Mr Groote, a Socialist MEP himself, told timesofmalta.com.
These recommendations are now expected to be forwarded to the Conference of Presidents of the EP and a final vote will be taken next week in Strasbourg..
OTHER REACTIONS
Earlier reactions to the European Parliament hearing of Tonio Borg were also mostly positive.
The EPP group of which the PN forms part said: "Borg clearly showed that he is credible and competent for the job of EU Commissioner. He deserves our approval."
The Greens said that "If soundbites and clichés were worth votes, Borg would be already approved." The Greens will issue a formal statement tomorrow.
NGO European Dignity Watch commented that " If every politician were so transparent, Europe would be better off."
Logos Public Affairs said this was "A good day and a good performance for Commissioner-designate Borg"
Transpar(eu)ncy said "Competent, clear personality, transparent, clever ... wow, that is quite a lot for a politician. Well done Tonio!"
Chris Davies MEP said soundings suggested that Borg would be confirmed. "Competent on the briefs and did enough to assuage fears on social issues" said the founder of the cross-party Fish for the Future group.
Peter Liese said Dr Borg had given "a really good performance".
The S&D Group (socialists) noted that Dr Borg had said that he will abide by the rules of the commission but would not abandon personal views. It asked which would take priority.
See three-hour recording of the hearing at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121113/local/live-meps-question-tonio-borg.445064