Presentation of letters of credence to the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen 18:30 President[...]

On 11 September 2025, the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received the letters of credence from the Apostolic Nuncio and Head of the Mission of the Holy See to the European Union as well as the Ambassadors of Andorra, Dominican Republic, Liberia, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Gabon, Nepal, Cambodia, United States of America, Pakistan, Senegal, Angola and Bangladesh.

• H.E. Monseigneur Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Head of the Mission of the Holy See to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Vicenç Mateu Zamora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Principality of Andorra to the European Union
• H.E. Ms Joan Margarita Cedano García de Madera, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Dominican Republic to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Levi Demah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Alrich Nicolas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Haiti to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Roman Vassilenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Eudes Régis Immongault Tatangani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Gabonese Republic to the European Union
• H.E. Ms Sewa Lamsal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Nepal to the European Union
• H.E. Ms Sovannary Kimsour, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Andrew Franklin Puzder, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the United States of America to the European Union
• H.E Mr Rahim Hayat Qureshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Mame Baba Cisse, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Senegal to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Edgar Augusto Brandão Gaspar Martins, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Angola to the European Union
• H.E. Mr Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the European Union

Background

The presentation of letters of credence is a diplomatic tradition, symbolising the start of formal relations between a diplomatic envoy and the leadership of the host country or institution. In the context of the EU, this event highlights the importance of international dialogue and the EU's commitment to fostering cooperation with countries around the world.

The letters of credence of Heads of Mission of a third country are signed by the Head of State of said third country. Two identical originals of the letters are drawn up: one addressed to the President of the European Council, the other to the President of the European Commission. On the day of the ceremony, the Head of Mission hands over their predecessor's letter of recall at the same time as they present their credentials.