Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Updated on Dec 11, 2023

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Phone +1 202-862-9500

Address 2175 K Street, 2175 K St NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA Hours Closed today SundayClosedMonday9AM–5PMTuesday9AM–5PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PMSaturdayClosed Similar Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Latvia, Embassy of Ireland, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Croatia Profiles Facebook Twitter YouTube

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 all the EU Member States. It is located at 2175 K Street, N.W., in the West End neighborhood of Washington, D.C..

Since November 2014, the Appointed Ambassador of the EU Delegation has been David O'Sullivan.

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.

The Delegation represents the EU in matters where the 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. The Delegation also sponsors the European Union Centers of Excellence, a network of university programs dedicated to the study of the EU.

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.

Ambassadors

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

Current: David O'Sullivan - November 2014 to present

João Vale de Almeida - February 2010 to November 2014

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

Dries van Agt (former Prime Minister of the Netherlands) - 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 Prime Minister of Denmark) - 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, counter-terrorism, 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 developments 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

Staff

Ambassador David O'Sullivan is the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. In this capacity, he represents European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council Donald Tusk, under the authority of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. 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. The Delegation building was granted LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council.

References

Delegation of the European Union to the United States Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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