Ian Micallef, head of the Association of Local Councils in Malta, has been named as a vice-president of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions (CoR), the Brussels-based assembly where representatives of local and regional government meet to have their say on EU legislative proposals.

On the occasion of the Plenary Session of the CoR held on 15-16 February, the first of a new four-year-term, it was also confirmed that Mr Micallef, a member of the European People’s Party group, will lead the Maltese delegation to the Committee.

Michel Delebarre, mayor of Dunkerque, France, was elected as president of the CoR.

The Maltese delegation to the CoR consists of five full and five alternate members. The complete list of full members, who are nominated by the government, is as follows:

Claudette Abela Baldacchino, deputy mayor, Qrendi; Doris Borg, mayor, Birkirkara; Michael Cohen, mayor, Kalkara; Noel Formosa, mayor, San Lawrenz; and Dr Ian Micallef, councillor, Gzira.

The alternate or substitute members for Malta are: Joan Agius, deputy mayor, Zejtun; Joseph Borg, councillor, Mellieha; Paul Buttigieg, mayor, Qala; Joseph Cordina, councillor, Xaghra; and Dr Malcolm Mifsud, mayor, Pietà.