Maltese ambassador is Mediterranean Union’s special envoy

The foreign affairs ministry has nominated ambassador George Saliba as the Mediterranean Union secretary-general's special envoy.

The appointment followed discussions between foreign affairs minister George Vella and the Mediterranean Union's secretary-general Fathalla Sijilmassi.

The ministry said that the "prestigious appointment" will give Malta greater visibility and strengthen the central role Malta plays in Euro-Mediterranean politics.

Saliba has held a number of posts in the dimplomatic corps and has been an ambassador in many countries, including Libja, Russia, the US and the Arab Gulf.

The union includes 43 countries and is considered as the principal forum which brings together the EU and its Mediterranean neighbors.