Joe Borg

Joseph Borg (born March 19 1952) is a politician and diplomat in Malta, associated with the Nationalist Party which is currently governing that country. He was instrumental in the process which led to Malta becoming a member of the European Union in 2004. He was the advisor to the foreign minister on European Union matters from 1989 until 1995, a member of the board of directors of the Maltese Central Bank from 1992 until 1995, and a member of parliament since 1995. He was re-elected to parliament in 1996, 1998 and 2003, served as shadow minister for industry when his party was out of power from 1996 until 1998, and, after his party regained power, served as foreign minister from 1999 until 2004, resigning that post when Malta became a member of the EU. In 2004 he was nominated by the Maltese Government, and subsequently approved by the EU, as the first Maltese EU commissioner. His portfolio includes Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.