The new European Commissioner for Fisheries is likely to be Dr Joe Borg from Malta, a previous Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to himself, he is committed to promoting sustainable fisheries as well as improving the living conditions of fishing communities.
On August 12, the new President-designate of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, made official his choice of Commissioners. The new Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs (currently DG Fisheries) will be Joe Borg. At the European Parliament’s public hearing on 5 October 2004, Dr Borg was found suitable for the post. Among other things, he committed himself to promoting sustainable fishing and to paying special attention to living conditions for fishermen and fishing communities. Dr Joe Borg is from Malta, where he was Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the Commission he has been working with Poul Nielson at the DG Development. One of his assignments as Fisheries Commissioner will be to chair the Commission Taskforce to develop a Green Paper on Maritime Policy.