George Vella

George Vella
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office
13 March 2013 – 9 June 2017
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
Preceded by Francis Zammit Dimech
Succeeded by Carmelo Abela
In office
28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime Minister Alfred Sant
Preceded by Guido de Marco
Succeeded by Guido de Marco
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
In office
28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime Minister Alfred Sant
Preceded by Guido de Marco
Succeeded by Guido de Marco
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
In office
26 March 1992 – 23 May 2003
Leader Alfred Sant
Preceded by Joseph Brincat
Succeeded by Charles Mangion
Personal details
Born (1942-04-24) 24 April 1942
Żejtun, Malta
Political party Labour Party
Spouse(s) Miriam Grima
Children 3
Alma mater University of Malta

George William Vella (born 24 April 1942) was a Maltese politician. He has served as Malta's Minister of Foreign Affairs.[1] Vella has held the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1998, under Prime Minister Alfred Sant.[1][2][3] and under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat from 2013 to 2017.

Early life and family

Vella was born in Żejtun in 1942. He is married to Miriam (née Grima). He has two daughters and a son, along with seven grandchildren.[1][3]

Vella graduated as a medical doctor in 1964, obtained a Certificate in Aviation Medicine from Farnborough (UK), and was a specialist in family medicine.

Career

Labour Party

Vella joined the Labour Party (PL) and started his parliamentary career in 1976. He was then elected member of parliament in January 1978, and during the 1981, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 general elections. As a Member of Parliament, he represents the 3rd and 5th Districts.[1][3]

Serving abroad

In 1978, Vella was a substitute member of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe and rapporteur on maritime pollution from maritime sources at the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE). From January to May 1987, he served as Malta's permanent representative at the Council of Europe.[1]

Deputy leader

In 1992, Vella was elected as the Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs and spokesperson on foreign affairs. He served as vice chairman on the Joint EU/Malta Parliamentary Committee.[1][3]

Foreign Affairs

The office of Vella while serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

From 1995 to 1996, Vella was a member of the House Business Committee and the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee.[1]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Environment in October 1996[3] and again in March 2013, serving to June 2017.[1]

Vella has voiced his support for the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, an organisation which campaigns for democratic reformation of the United Nations, and the creation of a more accountable international political system.[4]

Honours

Local:

  • Companion of the Order of Merit (KOM)

Foreign:

  • Grand Cross of the Order of St.John of Jerusalem, Malta and Rhodes
  • Cavaliere di Gran Croce, Ordine Equestre di Sant'Agatha (San Marino)
  • Commander Order of Merit (Greece)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 http://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en/Pages/The%20Minister.aspx
  2. ↑ https://www.parlament.mt/en/12th-leg/political-group-list/labour-party/vella-george/
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.malta.galileokl.net/minister-of-foreign-affairs/
  4. ↑ "Supporters". Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. Retrieved 2017-09-21. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joseph Brincat		 Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
1992–2003		 Succeeded by
Charles Mangion
Political offices
Preceded by
Guido de Marco		 Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Guido de Marco
Preceded by
Guido de Marco		 Minister of Foreign Affairs
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Guido de Marco
Preceded by
???		 Minister for the Environment
1996–1998		 Succeeded by
Francis Zammit Dimech
Preceded by
Francis Zammit Dimech		 Minister of Foreign Affairs
2013–2017		 Succeeded by
Carmelo Abela
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