The British government agreed to grant full ambassador status to the European Union representative in London, after months of rejection due to Britain’s exit from the European Union, both parties announced on Wednesday (05.05.2021).
The decision came at the end of a meeting between British diplomatic chief Dominic Raab and his European Union counterpart, Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting in London.
Queen Elizabeth II said in a joint statement that “the ambassador of the European Union will have the same rank as heads of state missions, including accreditation and presentation of credentials to the head of state.”
They added that “the staff of the European Union delegation will enjoy the necessary privileges and immunity to work effectively.”
The Executive Director of Boris Johnson had so far insisted on granting the European Ambassador, Portuguese João Vale de Almeida, the status of representative of an international organization, causing severe tensions with Brussels, which described the British decision as “unfriendly.”
In response, the European Union decided in January to postpone its contacts with the new UK ambassador to the bloc until the dispute was resolved.
afp / Reuters / ap / rr
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”