Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, Head of Delegation

On August 10, 2010, João Vale de Almeida presented his credentials to President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony, formally becoming the European Union Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the United States. 

Ambassador Vale de Almeida is the first EU diplomat to occupy this position after the Treaty of Lisbon came into force on December 1, 2009. He is the representative in the United States of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy under the authority of the High Representative/European Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton, who is at the helm of the EU's new diplomatic service: the European External Action Service. 

The ambassador actively reaches out to various U.S. audiences from the government to the private sector to think tanks and educational forums. He speaks to groups throughout the country, grants media interviews, and participates in panels on EU-related topics. To learn more about Ambassador Vale de Almeida, please see his biography and a selection of his speeches, video, and media appearances. 

You may also access information about the history of the former European Commission Delegation.