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Palma.—The Balearic Government has appointed Esteban Mas Portell MBE to be the new regional delegate to the European Union in Brussels, a spokesman confirmed yesterday.

Mas, who is pictured above (far right) receiving a long-service award from the present British Consul Paul Abrey, with Balearic President José Ramón Bauzá and Central Government Delegate Ramón Socías in attendance at the retirement ceremony, was a well-known figure at the British Consulate where he had worked since the early days of tourism on Majorca.

His appointment to Brussels comes hot on the heels of his officially leaving his post at the consulate on 23rd September, with government spokesman explaining yesterday that amongst other responsibilities, Mas will be called on to support and promote the interests of the Balearic Islands as and when the European Union draws up plans affecting the region.

The Balearics, so far as the European Union map is concerned, forms part of a Euroregion which also embraces a sector of north-east Spain and southern France.

A lynch pin role
Mas' wider portfolio, said the spokesman will be to act as a lynch pin between Balearic authorities and institutions and their counterparts in the European Union.

The post which Mas is about to fill had been left vacant by the previous Balearic Socialist coalition government when the former regional Delegate to the European Union, Biel Amer had been appointed to a senior position in Parliament.

The Socialist Coalition said that the removal of Amer from the EU Delegate position had been justified as part of a plan to reduce government posts.