Brussels, 21/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has appointed Ms Maria Pia Filippone della Rocca as Deputy Secretary General on a proposal by President Prodi and in agreement with the Vice President responsible for administrative reform, Neil Kinnock. Ms Filippone, 56 years of age, started working at the Commission in 1976 and her career has concentrated from the start on administrative and organisational issues. In her new position she will specifically be responsible for studying and preparing an enhancement of the Commission's working methods and will be in charge of implementing such improvements across all services which, stressed President Prodi, will require the sustained support of all staff.