Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Nationalist Party on Sunday paid tribute to the memory of Joseph R Grima, who passed away at the age of 85.

Grima is remembered for his exceptional service to the country spanning almost five decades, including during historic moments in which Malta transitioned from a British colony to an independent nation, and eventually to a member state of the European Union, the PN said.

Above all, he will be remembered for the important reforms he introduced in the Civil Service, helping to modernise Malta's public service over the years through a number of crucial changes and achievements.

Throughout a long career in public administration, from 1956 to 2005, Joseph R Grima served with great loyalty under various governments. He began his career in the public service in 1956 as an emergency teacher, later joining the Inland Revenue Department, and eventually moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - where he also served at the Maltese High Commission in London - until 1975, when he joined the Office of the Prime Minister, serving under five different Prime Ministers, the PN said

The longest of these periods was under Eddie Fenech Adami - during which he first served as Cabinet Secretary in the 1990s, then as Head of the Public Service for a full decade, while also being appointed the first Principal Permanent Secretary, until his retirement from the public service in 2005.

Joseph R Grima, who hailed from Paola, also served on various boards including those of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), the Management Systems Unit, the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, the Institute of Public Administration, and the University Council.

The PN extended its condolences to the family of Joseph R Grima.

Prime Minister Abela said Grima served under different administrations at at levels.

He said Grima was instrumental in his work as Malta was preparing to join the European Union.