Mr Justice Carmel Agius, who turns 65 tomorrow, announced his retirement from the Maltese judiciary today, but said he would stay on as a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, at The Hague.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Justice Agius expressed his regret that judges in Malta had to retire at 65 when, in his opinion, this was the period when a judge reached his prime in view of their experience.

Justice Agius said he knew serving judges abroad who were 80 years old and possibly sharper than him. In his opinion, Mr Agius said, judges should be allowed to continue to serve until they experienced health problems.

He thanked and paid tribute to former President and Justice Minister Guido de Marco, recalling in particular, how the former President had encouraged him to take up the post in the UN court and urged him to establish international contacts.

He said that when he contested the election for the post, Prof de Marco was instrumental in him being elected.

As soon as he was elected, Justice Agius said he had immediately phoned Prof de Marco, coincidentally soon after the then President was involved in a serious traffic accident in Bulgaria. Prof de Marco could not speak to him immediately, but called back within five minutes, and his first question was how the election had gone.

The judge thanked his staff for their loyalty and hard work. He also thanked his colleagues.

Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano, who was present for the press conference, thanked him for his many years of service.

He also used the opportunity to pay tribute to Prof de Marco, particularly for his reforms when he was Minister of Justice.

Dr Andrew Borg Cardona, President of the Chamber of Advocates thanked Mr Justice Agius, and he too paid tribute to Prof de Marco, saying he would remain a role model for all lawyers.