Brussels, 1 February 2020 – From today the premises of the former Commission Representation in London will become those of the European Union Delegation. Operations will start officially from 1st February 2020, the day when  the United Kingdom left the EU and became a third country.

“While we regret the decision of the UK to leave our Union, we fully respect this choice and are ready to move forward” says Joseph Borrell, in an official communique explaining “the diplomatic representation of the European Union from now on will be ensured by an EU Delegation, under my authority as High Representative of the Union for Foreign affairs and Security Policy”.

“I have appointed Ambassador João Vale de Almeida as Head of Delegation and I trust that he will be working tirelessly to ensure smooth cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom” says  Borrell highlighting the “key role” in the guarantee of respect of rights of EU citizens in the UK.

“In addition to the traditional responsibilities of an EU Delegation in a third country, such as EU diplomatic representation, EU coordination and reporting and promotion of the EU in the host country, the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom will have a key role in ensuring the implementation of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement. Together with the embassies of EU Member States, it will also raise awareness on the rights of EU citizen’s in the United Kingdom after Brexit.