Luxembourg, 16/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Italian government has appointed three Italian magistrates to the European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance. Antonio Tizzano, the current Italian Advocate General since 2000 will become the new judge replacing outgoing judge, Antonio La Pergola. Paolo Mengozzi, judge at the Court of First Instance since 1998 becomes the new Advocate General. Enzo Moavero-Milanesi, Director General at the European Commission Office of European Policy Advisors and former Head of Romano Prodi's Cabinet, will be the new Italian judge at the Court of First Instance. Technically, Member States propose the names of candidates to other Member States meeting at the Council. But the respective choice of Member States is never opposed by the other Member States and it is therefore an effective system of appointments.
The imminent replacement of Judge La Pergola closes a chapter, regarded as difficult, even at the institution. The President of the Court, Vassilos Skouris recently wrote a letter to the Italian judge. In this letter he described the organisational difficulties caused by the prolonged absence of the judge, who was called on to explain the situation. He is said to be surprised to learn about his nomination at the head of the Italian print works by the press, when La Pergola is still a member of the Court (EUROPE 9148).