Official: Tonio Borg nominated European Commissioner - to stay on as minister until confirmation process is concluded

Updated 8 p.m. Foreign Minister Tonio Borg is being nominated by the government to become European Commissioner, it wwas officially announced this evening. The Prime Minister this evening officially informed European Commission President Jose' Manoel Barroso and the Leader of the Opposition of the government's decision. Dr Borg told Net TV that he will shortly resign as deputy leader of the PN but will stay on as MP and Minister until the European Union's confirmation process is concluded. The PN in a statement thanked Dr Borg for his service as deputy leader and praised him for his integrity and wisdom. Once approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, Dr Borg will serve for the rest of John Dalli's term, up to 2014. Speaking to The Times last Thursday, Dr Borg said: “I am happy where I am, but I am always ready to serve wherever the Prime Minister deems fit.” Dr Borg, an expert in public law, has been foreign minister since 2008 and is respected among his peers, particularly for his input two years ago when the Schengen countries were in dispute with Libya. He has been an MP since 1992 and a minister since 1995, having served for many years as minister of...