POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1457

of 13 July 2023

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2023)

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,

Having regard to Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP of 10 November 2008 on a European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) (1), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take the relevant decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(2) On 7 February 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Juan María IBAÑEZ MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander.

(3) On 23 May 2023, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI to succeed Rear Admiral Juan María IBAÑEZ MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander from 17 July 2023.

(4) On 2 June 2023, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported that proposed appointment.

(5) On 9 June 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Italian military authorities.

(6) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI should be taken.

(7) Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 should therefore be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI is hereby appointed as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) from 17 July 2023.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 17 July 2023.

Done at Brussels, 13 July 2023.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

(1)  

OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33

.

(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 of 7 February 2023 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2023) (

OJ L 40, 10.2.2023, p. 24

).