Ambassador takes title role

Date: 20/02/1997

The Commission has leapt to the defence of its delegation head in Lima, Peru, who has been upsetting people by describing himself as the “EU ambassador”.

British Labour MEPs want to know by what authority the title is being used, not just on visits but also on letterheads and other official correspondence.

The Commission points out that the heads of its delegations are usually accredited with the courtesy title of ambassador, but says it “requires” them to refrain from using the term in contacts with member states and with any EU institution.

Presumably this means they can only use it in private conversation with their families.