Gentiloni names Moavero advisor for EMA (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, April 13 - Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni on Thursday named former European affairs minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi his new advisor to promote the transfer to Milan of the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) once Brexit is complete, the premier's office said.
    Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano told a forum on post-Brexit opportunities at Bloomberg in London last month that Milan is ready to host the EMA as well as "whole business districts" that may move from from London.
    Alfano was in the British capital on the day Brexit talks were triggered on March 29 along with Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala and Lombardy Governor Roberto Maroni.
    Padoan, for his part, stressed what a safe environment Italy offered for investments leaving London.
    Milan is "more than ready" to host the EMA after its move from London in one of the major opportunities opened up by Brexit, Alfano stressed.
    He said the competition "will be very tough because there are at least a dozen big EU cities in the running, but we are fighting to get it for Milan".
    The EMA, which controls pharmaceuticals standards and norms across Europe, has been in London for 20 years.
    Sala, the mayor, said "we can play our cards on the EMA".