Less than a month after the effective implementation of Brexit, London and Brussels are at odds over the diplomatic status to be granted to the European Union's ambassador to the United Kingdom, according to British and European sources.
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Negotiations are underway to determine whether Joao Vale de Almeida and his team should enjoy full diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention, on the same basis as diplomats from a sovereign state - as Brussels argues - or from the immunity conferred on international organizations, a privileged position by London.
“
The EU, its delegation and their teams will receive the necessary privileges and immunities to enable them to carry out their work in the UK effectively,
” commented the UK Foreign Office.
The United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020 and after an eleven-month transition period, the country freed itself from all European rules by leaving the single market and the union customs.
The two former partners signed on the wire, before Christmas, a free trade agreement to frame their trade.
According to the EU, the UK's position contrasts with that of other countries, which have "
without exception
" granted full diplomatic status to 143 European delegations, equivalent to diplomatic missions, around the world.
"
The EU is not a + traditional + international organization
", detailed Thursday Peter Stano, spokesman for the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, recalling that it "
has the power to adopt binding legislation for its Member States, has its own judicial system and has established a common currency
”.
“
The EU's status in international relations and the resulting diplomatic status is widely recognized by countries and international organizations around the world, and we expect the UK to treat the EU delegation as a consequence and without delay,
”he continued.
As a former Member State, the United Kingdom is "
fully aware
" of this status, he added.
In November, Josep Borrell wrote to British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab to express his “
serious concerns
” about this London position.
According to the BBC, the issue is expected to be discussed by EU foreign ministers on Monday.
The dispute comes to light as the UK announced on Thursday the appointment of Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby as the country's representative to the EU, replacing Tim Barrow, transferred to another diplomatic service.
The 47-year-old diplomat made a career in the British Foreign Office, where he was notably responsible for leading the exit from the EU.
He was also part of the team tasked with negotiating an exit deal with Brussels.
He was previously Ambassador to Colombia and worked at the Permanent Representation of the United Kingdom in Brussels.
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