The UK government is refusing to grant the European Union's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Joao Vale de Almeida, the same full diplomatic status given to other ambassadors and treat him instead as a representative of an international organization, the BBC reported on Thursday
LONDON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st January, 2021) The UK government is refusing to grant the European Union's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Joao Vale de Almeida, the same full diplomatic status given to other ambassadors and treat him instead as a representative of an international organization, the BBC reported on Thursday.
The UK finally left the EU on December 31 as part of the Brexit process and began a new political and economic relationship with the bloc.
According to the broadcaster, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is claiming that the EU is an international body and not a nation state, so it cannot be treated in the same way.
The refusal to grant diplomatic status to the bloc's envoy would mean that de Almeida and his staff would not have the privileges and immunities afforded to diplomats under the Vienna Convention, or the opportunity to present his credentials to the Queen.
The broadcaster also claimed to have seen a letter to UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab by EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in which the European official had expressed his concern about the proposal, warning that it did not constitute "a reasonable basis for reaching an agreement."
"The arrangements offered do not reflect the specific character of the EU, nor do they respond to the future relationship between the EU and the UK as an important third country," Borrell wrote.
The BBC, which said that the issue is expected to be discussed by the EU foreign ministers on Monday, quoted a UK Foreign Office spokesperson as saying: "Engagement continues with the EU on the long-term arrangements for the EU delegation to the UK. While discussions are still ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to speculate on the detail of an eventual agreement."
The report also said that some in the EU fear that other governments might follow suit the UK and downgrade the diplomatic status of its representative in their own countries.
Sputnik has approached the Foreign Office for comments.
