Portugal's de Almeida to be Brussels' ambassador to the UK post-Brexit

João Vale de Almeida, the Portuguese diplomat was tapped on Friday by EU’s Foreign Policy chief, Josep Borrell to serve as the first-ever head of EU’s delegation to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, after the latter’s departure from the bloc on 31 January.
“As of that date, the United Kingdom will be a third country and as a consequence, the representation of the Union will be ensured by an EU Delegation,” EU’s diplomatic service said in a press release.
After his appointment was announced, Vale de Almeida tweeted that “he was honoured to be chosen” for the position, adding that he “looks forward … to promoting EU interests” and to working with his UK counterparts on the future EU-UK relation.
In the past, Vale de Almeida served as EU Ambassador to the UN from 2015 to 2019 and as the first EU Ambassador to the US, from 2010 to 2014. He was also Head of Cabinet of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, between 2004 and 2009.
As both the EU and UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson signed on Friday the Withdrawal Agreement Bill that paves the way for UK’s departure from the Union, the senior EU diplomat will take office on 1 February, when UK’s membership of the Union comes to an end.