Brussels, 08/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Italian European Minister, Rocco Buttiglione, has reconfirmed his support for the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, saying in Brussels on Thursday (after a meeting with Mr Prodi and Commissioners Monti, Bolkestein and Liikanen) that he was an "excellent President". Mr Buttiglione also reconfirmed Italy's commitment to the "Community method, including over the future of Europe". He reiterated the Italian government's support for Parma to be chosen as the headquarters for the new Food Safety Agency. Asked about Genoa's candidacy to become the headquarters of the future Maritime Safety Agency, he said that Parma's candidacy was the first priority and that other issues would be examined later. (The issue of where the different agencies are to be located is expected to be decided in the framework of a package of measures at the Brussels-Laeken Summit.)