EU ambassador to discuss world economic crisis at FIU


Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, head of delegation for the European Union (EU) to the United States, will present “Transatlantic Relations in Turbulent Times” Wed., Feb. 22, in the SIPA Auditorium. The lecture is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The highest ranking diplomatic officer representing the EU in the United States, Vale de Almeida will discuss the world economic crisis, specifically the Eurozone Crisis and how it has impacted relations with the United States. He will also cover NATO and Europe’s role in Afghanistan and other hot spots, as well as provide an overview of U.S.-European Union relations.

Vale de Almeida was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1957. He earned a degree in history from the University of Lisbon and has studied journalism and management in the United States, France, Japan and the United Kingdom.

After working as a journalist, he joined the European Commission Delegation in Lisbon in 1982. During his tenure, he held several senior positions and worked closely under European Commission presidents, Jacques Delors, Jacques Santer and Romano Prodi, until 2004. He was the head of cabinet for European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso. Vale de Almeida also served as the most senior official under European Commission vice president Paroness Ashton.

Vale de Almeida was appointed to his current position by President Barack Obama in August 2010. He represents European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council president Herman Van Rompuy.

The Feb. 22 lecture is part of the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad Distinguished Lecture Series and is sponsored by the Miami-Florida European Union Center of Excellence (MEUCE). For information, visit the MEUCE website.