Joe Borg
Encyclopedia
Joseph Borg (born 19 March 1952) is a Maltese politician
and diplomat. Prior to taking up the post of Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta and led Malta's EU-accession negotiations.
Borg is married to Isabelle and they have two children, Joseph and Clara.
, mainly focusing on Company Law, Industrial Law and European Law. He also held various posts as legal adviser to companies and corporate bodies in Malta and other countries.
. He was elected to Parliament
in 1995 under the Christian Democrat Nationalist Party (currently in Government). Borg served as Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1998–1999 and was subsequently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999. He held this post until he was nominated Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in 2004, upon Malta's accession to the EU.
Borg has recently courted controversy amongst environmental groups by fiercely opposing the ban on the sale of Bluefin tuna, an increasingly rare fish that sells for thousands of pounds in Japan. Borg's position on Bluefin tuna has often been linked to the fact that the industry earns €100 million a year for Malta
. In fact, Borg commented to the Times of Malta 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".
Photos: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/photo/photo_combar_result_en.cfm?id=3400
Politics of Malta
The politics of Malta takes place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Malta is the constitutional head of state. Executive Authority is vested in the President of Malta with the general direction and control of the Government of Malta...
and diplomat. Prior to taking up the post of Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta and led Malta's EU-accession negotiations.
Borg is married to Isabelle and they have two children, Joseph and Clara.
Early Professional Career
Since 1979, Borg held various academic posts at the University of MaltaUniversity of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, mainly focusing on Company Law, Industrial Law and European Law. He also held various posts as legal adviser to companies and corporate bodies in Malta and other countries.
Political career
Borg started his political career as advisor to the Foreign Minister on European Union matters from 1989 until 1995. From 1992 until 1995 he also served as member of the Board of Directors of the Maltese Central BankCentral Bank of Malta
The Central Bank of Malta was established on 17 April 1968. In May 2004, when Malta joined the European Union, it became an integral part of the European System of Central Banks. It was responsible for, amongst other things, issuing Maltese lira banknotes and coins, before Malta adopted the euro...
. He was elected to Parliament
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
in 1995 under the Christian Democrat Nationalist Party (currently in Government). Borg served as Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1998–1999 and was subsequently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999. He held this post until he was nominated Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in 2004, upon Malta's accession to the EU.
Fisheries Commissioner
As European Commissioner, he has been responsible for spearheading the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy and for innovative measures in fisheries, particularly through the involvement of stakeholders and the fight against illegal fishing activities, aimed at achieving sustainability in the sector. However, European fisheries policy has been unsuccessful so far in achieving sustainability, with 91% of fisheries on course to be classified as "overfished" by 2015, by which time the EU has committed to international targets for achieving sustainability.Borg has recently courted controversy amongst environmental groups by fiercely opposing the ban on the sale of Bluefin tuna, an increasingly rare fish that sells for thousands of pounds in Japan. Borg's position on Bluefin tuna has often been linked to the fact that the industry earns €100 million a year for Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. In fact, Borg commented to the Times of Malta 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".
External links
Photos: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/photo/photo_combar_result_en.cfm?id=3400