Former European Commissioner Joe Borg has been appointed chairman of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.

Dr Borg was unanimously accepted as chairman by all members of the governing board to succeed the late President Guido de Marco, who passed away last August.

The former Commissioner was nominated by the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his nomination was endorsed by the University, the Swiss Foreign Ministry and the German government, which have representatives on the board.

The academy has been established for the past 20 years and provides courses in diplomacy to Maltese and foreign students.

On accepting the nomination, Dr Borg asked for the allowance payable to him as chairman to be allocated for scholarships.

Dr Borg, 58, graduated Doctor of Laws in Malta in 1975 and Master of Laws in Wales in 1988.

He has has held academic posts at the University and was legal adviser to companies and corporate bodies in Malta and abroad.

He was elected Member of Parliament in 1995 and served as parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Foreign Affairs Minister, a position he resigned to take up the post of Commissioner.

Dr Borg is married to Isabelle and they have two children, Joseph and Clara.