João Vale de Almeida has been appointed as the Head of the European Union Delegation to the United States. He replaces John Bruton, who left the position at the end of October 2009.

Vale de Almeida has been a European official for 27 years. He was appointed Director General for External Relations in June 2009. He served as Head of Cabinet of President Barroso for the entirety of his first mandate as President of the EU Commission.

He has also been Barroso’s Personal Representative ("Sherpa") for G8 and G20 Summits since 2004. Until taking up office in Washington, Vale de Almeida will continue to lead DG RELEX and assist HRVP Catherine Ashton in setting up the European External Action Service, and to represent President Barroso in the preparations of the G8 Muskoka and G20 Toronto summits of June 2010.

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