19/12/2019 (Agence Europe) – The EU Council decided on Thursday 19 December to declare the head of the mission of the Republic of Benin to the European Union, Zacharie Richard Akplogan, persona non grata. According to a European source, this means that the head of mission no longer receives diplomatic treatment and no longer represents his country in the eyes of the EU. This measure was adopted in response to the Beninese government's decision at the end of November to declare the head of the EU delegation in Benin, Olivier Nette, persona non grata, accusing him of interference in the country's internal affairs (see EUROPE 12381/22). “The EU considers this declaration as wholly unwarranted and contrary to the EU's objective of developing relations and building partnerships in third countries”, the EU Council said in its statement. (CG)