Embassy in Washington

Ambassador Frédéric Bernard

Frédéric Bernard is Belgium’s Ambassador in the United States starting February 2025. He represents His Majesty The King of the Belgians and Belgium’s federal government in the United States of America and in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He is responsible for the direction and work of the Embassy and its Consulates, including bilateral political and economic relations, visa and consular services.

Before joining Washington, DC, Frédéric Bernard served as Head of Cabinet (Chief of Staff) of the President of the European Council (2020-2024), where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the European Union’s positions at the highest level. Frederic Bernard was also G7 sherpa for the European Union and negotiated for the Union the G7 statements between 2020 and 2024. From 2019 to 2020, he served as the Sherpa of the President of the European Council, engaging in negotiations with key stakeholders across EU institutions and Member States.

Between 2017 and 2019, Frédéric Bernard was Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Belgium for European affairs, preparing Belgium’s positions at the European level and supporting the Prime Minister’s European engagements. Prior to this, he served as Coordinator for External Action at Belgium’s Permanent Representation to the EU (2013-2017), overseeing advisors working on geographic groups within the EU Council and managing Belgium’s positions on enlargement and Western Balkans policy.

Frédéric Bernard also brings deep expertise in European financial negotiations, having worked as an advisor on the European Budget and Multiannual Financial Framework at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011-2013). Earlier in his career, he played a key role in the logistics and budgetary planning for Belgium’s Presidency of the Council of the EU (2009-2011). His diplomatic experience includes a posting as First Secretary at the Belgian Embassy in Dakar (2007-2009), where he provided political and economic reporting, and oversaw security and crisis management.

A career diplomat, Frédéric Bernard joined Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2006. He holds a specialized degree in European Affairs from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and a master’s degree in history from the Université de Liège. He also studied at the Universität Bayreuth in Germany.

Fluent in French, English, and Dutch, with proficiency in German, he actively promotes multilingualism, intercultural dialogue, and education. He is married and a proud father of three young children. In his free time, he enjoys field hockey, playing the piano, and carpentry.