PRESS RELEASE N. 96/02
4 December 2002
FORMAL SITTING
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (1952-2002)
The ceremony took place in the presence of their Royal Highnesses The Grand-Duke and Grand-
Duchess of Luxembourg, representatives of the Luxembourgish authorities and of the diplomatic corps,
the Presidents of the European Community institutions, senior judges of international courts and of the
constitutional and supreme courts of the Member States and of the candidate countries, and a number of
other guests.
A welcoming address was given by Mr Gil Carlos Rodríguez Iglesias, President of the Court of
Justice, followed by speeches by Mr Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, Mrs Lene Espersen,
Danish Justice Minister and President of the Council of the European Union, and Mr Romano Prodi,
President of the European Commission.
Mr Ludwig Adamovich, President of the Austrian Constitutional Court then addressed the
assembly on behalf of the constitutional and supreme courts of the Member States.
The sitting closed with a speech by the President of the Court of Justice, Gil Carlos Rodríguez
Iglesias.
A conference on cooperation between the Court of Justice and national courts took place
yesterday, 3 December 2002, to mark the beginning of the anniversary celebrations. This provided an
occasion to bring together the senior judges of international courts, of the constitutional and supreme
courts of the Member States, and of the candidate countries.
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In addition to the present press release, special fiftieth anniversary materials are also available to the press
(V. C .P. 93/02) including:
- lists of landmark decisions of the Court of Justice (a general list and a list by Member State)
- a special fiftieth anniversary FAQ (frequently asked questions) pamphlet
- a selection of some fifteen colour and black and white photographs in digital format, with captions, from
the 1950s to the present day