Barely a month after the entry into force of Brexit, tension is mounting again between Brussels and London. For a history of protocol, which is however not anecdotal. On Thursday January 21, the BBC revealed that the British Foreign Office was refusing Joao Vale de Almeida, the European Union’s (EU) envoy to the United Kingdom, ambassadorial status. “The EU is an international organization but not a state in itself”, said a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street, to justify this position. “The Foreign Office continues to discuss with the EU on the subject and will continue to guarantee the European delegation in London all the privileges and immunity” diplomats, “She has an important role to play and we want to have a positive relationship with the EU”.
It was in fact as early as November 2020, in a letter signed by Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, that the EU’s high representative, Josep Borrell, learned of London’s intention to limit the quality of the ambassador of the EU. Mr Borrell then explained that the position of the Johnson government did not reflect either the specific character of the Union, or what the future relationship with London should be. In any case, there is no question of admitting the calling into question of the Vienna convention on the status of ambassadors.
“Ridiculous, kid, silly”
On Thursday, Mr Borrell’s entourage quipped that the UK had never questioned its status when it was a member of the EU. The “Delegations” countries in 143 countries enjoy the privileges and immunities granted to all embassies. What London is doing is absolutely ridiculous, little, stupid “, commented on Thursday an anonymous Brussels source. Another was talking about“A spit” in the face of the Union. Michel Barnier, former chief negotiator of the agreements with London, spoke of the hope of“An intelligent and objective solution” and called on Boris Johnson’s government to show up ” very careful “ in that case.
Brussels is all the more irritated by the fact that Joao Vale de Almeida is one of the most seasoned diplomats in the European External Action Service (EEAS), which he helped create. Former first advisor to José Manuel Barroso, then President of the Commission, he was in post at the United Nations, in New York, from 2010 to 2015. When he was appointed to London at the beginning of 2020, he said he was “Honored” to have to ensure “Close relations” between London and Brussels during the post-Brexit period. Brussels now invites London to quickly define“An appropriate diplomatic framework, based on reciprocity and cooperation”. “We are confident in the satisfactory settlement of this matter with our friends in London”, added diplomatically a spokesperson for the EEAS.
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