Cabinet to discuss commissioner nomination

Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami is today expected to chair a cabinet meeting scheduled to address the nomination of Foreign Minister Joe Borg as the government's first choice for European commissioner.

The Sunday Times had reported that the cabinet was expected to discuss Dr Borg's nomination on Monday. However, the meeting was postponed because Dr Fenech Adami had the flu.

It is believed Dr Borg will accept the nomination for the prestigious post, which means he will have to give up his local political career in a few months' time.

Later this month Dr Fenech Adami will be meeting European Commission President Romano Prodi at his office in Brussels to discuss the nomination of the commissioner.

It is also expected that Richard Cachia Caruana will shortly be appointed Malta's first permanent representative in Brussels.

Sources close to the government said that "other important political developments are expected to unfold over the coming weeks, including the choice of the new foreign minister and the election of the new President".

President Guido de Marco's term expires in April. The likely candidates for the job include Dr Fenech Adami himself, former minister Michael Refalo and Speaker Anton Tabone.