Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Coordinates
Address	2175 K Street, N.W.,

The Delegation of the European Union to the United States represents the European Union in the United States, working in coordination with the diplomatic and consular missions of the 27 EU Member States. It is located at 2175 K Street, N.W., in the West End neighborhood of Washington, D.C..

Since 2010, the Ambassador of the EU Delegation has been João Vale de Almeida.^[1]

Contents 1 Role 2 History 3 Ambassadors 4 Embassy Sections 5 Staff 6 Building 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

Role

The Delegation of the European Union presents and explains EU policy to both the U.S. administration and Congress. The Delegation also analyzes and reports on the political, social, and economic situation in the U.S., and acts as a liaison with other international organizations in Washington, D.C. Through its engagement with political actors, the media, academia, business circles, and civil society, the Delegation raises awareness of EU issues and concerns, and promotes the EU-U.S. relationship among the broader American public.^[2]

The Delegation represents the EU in matters where the 27 Member States have agreed that their interests be represented collectively, for example, in areas of customs and trade. In contrast, the Embassy of each EU Member State represents the bilateral interests of that nation in its dealings with the U.S. government, and in areas that are not under specific EU jurisdiction. All consular affairs are dealt with by individual Member States.^[3]

History

The European Union has had a permanent presence in Washington, D.C. since 1954, which served as the EU's first overseas representation. Since 1964, the EU has also maintained an office in New York, which now serves as the EU Delegation to the United Nations.^[4]

Ambassadors

Among the Delegation's former Ambassadors, three also served as his country's prime minister: Jens Otto Krag, Andreas van Agt, and John Bruton.

• Current: João Vale de Almeida - Since February 2010
• Angelos Pangratis (acting) - October 2009 to February 2010
• John Bruton (former Irish Taoiseach) - November 2004 to October 2009
• Günter Burghardt - January 2000 to November 2004
• Hugo Paemen - 1995 to 1999
• Andreas van Agt (former Dutch Prime Minister)- 1989 to 1995
• Sir Roy Denman - 1982 to 1989
• Roland de Kergorlay - 1981 to 1982
• Fernand Spaak (son of Paul-Henri Spaak and first EC civil servant to the post) - 1977 to 1981
• Jens Otto Krag (former Danish Prime Minister) - 1974 to 1977
• Aldo Mario Mazio (first titled Ambassador and received diplomatic recognition) - 1971 to 1974

Embassy Sections

Head/Deputy Head of Delegation

• Serves as official representative of the EU to the U.S.

Administration

• Provides support services for the Delegation staff, building and residences
• Consults with authorities in the European Commission and the U.S. on all protocol and administrative matters related to EU officials

Economic & Financial Affairs

• Monitors and assesses U.S. economic performance
• Liaises with U.S. authorities dealing with economic, financial, and monetary issues
• Corresponds with the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Multilateral Development Banks in areas of interest to the EU

Food Safety, Health & Consumer Affairs

• Facilitates relations with the U.S. administration, U.S. Congress, industry and consumers in the above-mentioned areas

Political, Security & Development

• Maintains contact with the U.S. administration and Congress on foreign, security, and development policy, counterterrorism, justice and home affairs, and issues relating to human rights

Press & Public Diplomacy

• Focuses on raising awareness of the EU in the U.S.
• Maintains contact with U.S. media outlets and provides them with information and analyses of EU developments, positions, and statistics
• Offers outreach grants for universities, think tanks, and NGOs
• Produces and distributes information materials, maintains the Delegation's website, and deals with public inquiries
• Organizes speaking tours and cultural events

Science, Technology & Education

• Maintains relations with U.S. authorities at the Federal and State levels, research universities, national laboratories and the high tech industry
• Processes information for the European Commission in Brussels and Luxembourg pertaining to trends in science, technology, and education

Trade & Agriculture

• Monitors trade and regulatory develompents in the U.S.
• Maintains relations with the U.S. administration, Congress, and NGOs

Transport, Energy, Environment & Nuclear Matters

• Analyzes U.S. political, economic and regulatory developments in the areas of transportation, energy, and environment^[5]

Staff

Ambassador João Vale de Almeida is the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. In this capacity, he represents European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton.^[6] François Rivasseau is the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU.^[7]

As of 2011, the Delegation has approximately 80 permanent staff members, including 30 officials.

Building

On September 29, 2010, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton inaugurated the current EU Delegation to the United States.^[8] The Delegation building was granted LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council.^[9]

See also

• European Union-United States relations
• European Union Ambassador
• List of diplomatic missions of the European Union

References

External links

• Official Site