Karmenu Vella

Karmenu Vella (born 19 June 1950) is a Maltese politician and former member of the European Commission, in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries between 2014 and 2019. He has been one of the longest serving Maltese Parliamentarian with the Maltese Labour Party. He was appointed Companion of the National Order of Merit of Malta in 2019.

Biography Vella was born on 19 June 1950, in Zurrieq and is the eldest of three children. Vella lived in Zurrieq for 33 years from 1950 till 1983. He now lives in Birzebbugia with his wife Marianne (née Buhagiar). The couple has two sons, John married to Miriam Dalli, and Philip married to Rania (née Mamo). He is also a grandfather of two, Adam and Jack.

Education After his primary education in Zurrieq and his secondary education at the Lyceum Secondary School, Vella attended his pre-tertiary education at the University of Malta's Junior College until 1968.

Karmenu Vella attended the Royal University of Malta where he was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in 1970, and then graduated as an Architect and Civil Engineer in 1973.

Non-profit organisations In 2007 Karmenu Vella was the founding chairman of the Maltese Turkish Business Council. Between 2007 and 2013 he was appointed a member of the Vodafone Malta Foundation.

Sports and cultural organisations Karmenu has been very active in sports and cultural activities. He has been for a number of years the Honorary President for Birzebbugia Aquatic Sports Club, Honorary President for Zurrieq Bocci Club and Honorary President for Queen Victoria Band Club, Zurrieq.