Farewell to Ambassador Vale de Almeida
The reception was attended by 200 guests including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, former EU Commissioner Lord Peter Mandelson and many other political actors, think tankers and journalists. The U.S. Ambassador Jane Hartley also took part in the reception, as did the Heads of Mission from most EU member states.
The EU’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK Nicole Mannion introduced the farewell speeches from Slovenia’s Ambassador to the UK Simona Leskovar, the Secretary General of the EEAS Stefano Sannino, Ambassador Vale de Almeida and the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
Ambassador Leskovar said referring to the EU’s Head of Mission: “On behalf of all EU27 Ambassadors, I would like to thank you for your role in coordinating us for the past three years and wish you all the best in the future. You are a truly inspiring European”.
Secretary-General Sannino told the audience: “Thank you for all that you have given us, João. You taught me that you can be a loyal citizen of your country while being a true European. You have been an example for all of us”
In his farewell address, Ambassador Vale de Almeida mentioned the granting of the EU Settlement Scheme to over 6 million European citizens living in the UK as one of the biggest achievements of his tenure”.
The Ambassador added: “I am sincerely encouraged by what I hear from the new government, as far as EU-U.K. relations are concerned. Now the two sides must resolve the issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol”. The world wants the EU and U.K. to work better together.”
Foreign Secretary Cleverly referred to the Ambassador as a “friend of the U.K.” and praised him for “making a positive difference in EU-U.K. relations and combining personal charm with an ability to get things done”.
Tuesday 17th November will be Vale de Almeida’s last day before Pedro Serrano takes over as the EU’s Ambassador to the U.K.
