Who we are
EUDEL ROME ORGANIGRAMME
The EU Delegation in Rome has a bilateral mission with the Holy See, the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of San Marino, and a multilateral mission with the three United Nations (UN) Organisations based in Rome: the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The role of the EU Delegation
The European Union (EU) maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all countries in the world to promote and defends its values and interests with strategic partners, key international players, and emerging and developing powers. Its external action is led by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP, currently Kaja Kallas). The HRVP is supported by the European External Action Service (EEAS), which includes, next to the headquarters in Brussels, some 144 delegations (diplomatic missions) around the world, which are, as a rule, headed by an EU Ambassador entrusted with the task of representing the European Union diplomatically.
The EU has five delegations to International Organisations based in Geneva, New York, Paris, Rome and Vienna to strengthen multilateral diplomacy.
The EU Delegation in Rome operates under the “One Delegation” approach based on its four diplomatic mandates:
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with the UN in Rome (FAO, WFP and IFAD), since 1991;
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with the Holy See, since June 2006, and since 2015 in the context of a dedicated Structured Dialogue on Foreign Policy and Global Issues;
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with the Sovereign Order of Malta, since June 2007;
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with the Republic of San Marino, since March 2016, mainly to support the finalisation of an Association Agreement with the EU.
In the context of these mandates, the EU Delegation in Rome promotes EU values and interests in the bilateral and multilateral context, with a particular focus on peace, security, human rights, food security, agriculture, humanitarian aid and sustainable development. We work for strengthening multilateralism and international law, in particular international humanitarian law. The EU Delegation also plays a crucial role in coordinating EU Member States in Rome at regular Heads of Missions meetings, thereby ensuring consistent common EU messages, and reinforcing the EU’s visibility in Rome.
The Sovereign Order of Malta
The Sovereign Order of Malta
The Sovereign Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and a subject of international law with a long tradition, maintains diplomatic relations with 115 States and the European Union, and holds permanent observer status at the United Nations. Neutral, impartial and apolitical, it plays a unique role in international humanitarian diplomacy and action.
Today, the Sovereign Order of Malta is active in more than 120 countries, providing medical, social and humanitarian services to people in need. Its work is especially focused on those affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters, offering medical care, supporting refugees, and delivering medicines and essential survival equipment. This extensive global network allows it to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian emergencies.
The EU Delegation in Rome works to further strengthen relations with the Sovereign Order of Malta as a like-minded partner. Cooperation is centred on shared priorities in humanitarian and health assistance, with the aim of improving the delivery of aid, reinforcing respect for human dignity and ensuring effective responses to crises worldwide.
The Republic of San Marino
The Republic of San Marino
With a population of around 35,000 people, San Marino is the world’s oldest existing Republic and the fifth smallest country. It is a Member of the United Nations and of the Council of Europe. Since adopting the euro as its official currency in 1999, it has been closely linked to the EU’s single market. Despite its size, San Marino plays an active role in international affairs and maintains very close relations with its European partners.
On 3 March 2016, the first Head of the EU Delegation in Rome was accredited as Ambassador to the Republic of San Marino, formalising diplomatic relations. Since then, the EU Delegation has played a central role in deepening EU–San Marino ties, particularly through facilitating dialogue and negotiations. The EU Ambassador in Rome is regularly in San Marino for diplomatic and policy exchanges and attends twice a year the change of Captains Regents. This well-developed relationship reflects the EU’s recognition of San Marino as a close neighbour and partner with a shared European identity.
After more than a decade of discussions, San Marino is now close to concluding an ambitious Association Agreement with the EU. This agreement will grant San Marino access to the EU’s single market, while also strengthening cooperation on a wide range of policies. For San Marino, it represents greater economic opportunities and access to EU tools and funding; for the EU, it has strategic value by extending the reach of its regulatory framework and reinforcing stability in its neighbourhood.