Washington Delegation Overview

The European Commission is represented in the United States by a Delegation in Washington.

Recognizing the importance of American support for European integration, the Union's founders opened an information office in Washington in 1954. In 1971, it became a Delegation with full diplomatic privileges and immunities. The Head of Delegation was accorded full ambassadorial status in 1990.

The Delegation represents the European Commission in its dealings with the US Government for all matters within EU competence or purview. It reports on US developments to headquarters in Brussels and acts as a liaison with other international institutions in Washington, DC.

The Delegation functions like an embassy. For additional details on the structure and staffing of the Delegation, please click here.

These Delegation officials represent the European Commission at government, business, press, academic and other meetings throughout the United States.

Since 1964, the Commission has also maintained an office in New York, which now serves as a Delegation to the United Nations.