EU welcomes Monti as head of new Italian gov't

Leaders of the European Union (EU) on Sunday welcomed the nomination of Senator Mario Monti to form an Italian government of national unity. "We welcome the decision by the President of the Italian Republic to ask Senator Mario Monti to form a government of national unity," said a statement by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. "We believe that it sends a further encouraging signal - following the swift adoption of the 2012 Stability Law - of the Italian authorities' determination to overcome the current crisis," the statement said. It said the European Commission would continue to monitor the implementation of measures taken by Italy with the aim of pursuing policies that foster growth and employment. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Sunday appointed former EU Commissioner Mario Monti to head an emergency government after Silvio Berlusconi resigned on Saturday night.