Outgoing EU Commissioner Joe Borg tells Herman Grech he is disappointed and baffled at how he learnt he will no longer be serving in Brussels.

How and when did you become aware that you wouldn't be nominated for a second term as Commissioner?

I became aware just last Monday when I was travelling by car from Brussels to Strasbourg. My wife called to tell me the Prime Minister made a public announcement and it was broadcast on the news. I have to admit, however, that I realised the Prime Minister had offered the post to John Dalli when I learned that John was in Brussels (the previous week).

Were you surprised to hear that you were not even in the running?

Yes. Let me state the facts as I know them: I had indicated clearly I was interested in a second term and I also said so publicly over a year ago. The indications I received at that early stage were very positive. I have to admit, however, that a couple of months ago I was informed that only two possible scenarios were being considered - one was the nomination of a cabinet minister and the other was my re-nomination. If in the last days and weeks the situation had changed I certainly was not informed.

Who did you get these indications from?

The Prime Minister himself.

Do you think you were treated unfairly?

I think at the very least I have earned the right to (be told) a straight and unequivocal 'no'.

Do you think that the issue leading to the decision was mishandled?

It is difficult to say and understand exactly what was going on and how it was being handled. Clearly, however, the fact that those advising the Prime Minister on this very issue were contenders for the post, or were aspiring for another similar post, did not help to clarify matters.

Do you fear that the Prime Minister opted for Mr Dalli simply to safeguard his party's interests and avoid a backbench revolt?

I prefer not to comment - everybody can form a judgement about this decision for themselves.

Do you agree with the choice of commissioner?

It is not a question of whether I agree or otherwise with the decision. I would be lying if I said I would not have preferred it to be different. I have congratulated John on his appointment both in person and publicly and I wish him well for the new post. But I have to say that the manner in which the decision was taken and, even worse, how it was sought to be justified afterwards, continues to baffle me.

Did you feel you have proved yourself in the post and deserved another term?

I am certainly proud of what I have achieved in the past five years and I believe that these achievements were recognised by the Commission itself through its President, the member states and the maritime and fisheries stakeholders. Whether I deserve it or not is not for me to say.

Do you agree that re-nomination should apply for such posts or should they be confined to a single term?

Luxembourg, which together with Malta is the smallest member in the European Union, nominated its Commissioner for a third term. Nearly half of the current commissioners were re-nominated. Therefore I would conclude that many governments view a re-nomination as a consolidation of one's strength within the Commission.

Some recent press comments indicated that you had not fought hard enough for Malta's causes. Do you agree?

Whoever says this has no idea how the Commission works and even less an idea of how I operate. Throwing tantrums and banging your feet does not get you very far in the Commission. Hysteria and posturing don't work.

It is your ability to make sound arguments and win such arguments with clarity and conviction that really matters. I have to say that it is thanks to a lot of hard work at my level and at my staff's level that many of the proposals that are agreed by the Commission took into account Maltese sensitivities.

Paving the way, for example, for Malta's bid to host the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), on which much work was done at our end, enabled Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici to take up the issue and it is hopefully through their continued efforts that this will see the light of day.

The issue of illegal immigration is another example where through my own intervention in College on numerous occasions and through all possible channels further down the line that we were able to push the dire need for action. My office and I were always at the disposal of the Maltese MEPs for any assistance they required on numerous issues.

But these are things I chose not to publicise widely because I consider it to be very much part of my role and something I do with pleasure and conviction. This is the way I operate and have always operated.

What do you intend to do after January? Would you accept another EU post proposed by the Maltese government?

I have not even had time to think about what comes next. November and December are very intense in terms of negotiations on fisheries. Therefore I will not be able to really focus on what comes next before January. On your second question, I have to say I sincerely doubt there is any post on offer. If there were, there would certainly be a number of people who would aspire to it.

Let's face it, the chances of such offers coming my way will certainly not increase and multiply.