POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2024/1014

of 26 March 2024

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/2078 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2024)

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

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

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).

(2) Pursuant to Article 8(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.

(3) On 26 September 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2078 (2), appointing Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 October 2023.

(4) On 29 February 2024, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Navy Captain Armando Paolo SIMI to succeed Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment.

(5) On 6 March 2024, the EU Military Committee (EUMC) supported the recommendation made by the Italian military authorities and agreed that Navy Captain Armando Paolo SIMI be appointed as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. The Chair of the EUMC indicated that Navy Captain Armando Paolo SIMI is expected to be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. The EU Operation Commander indicated that the date of the appointment should be 5 April 2024.

(6) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Armando Paolo SIMI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken.

(7) Decision (CFSP) 2023/2078 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Armando Paolo SIMI is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) from 5 April 2024.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2023/2078 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 5 April 2024.

Done at Brussels, 26 March 2024.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

(1)

OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/2078 of 26 September 2023 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/3/2023) (

OJ L 239, 28.9.2023, p. 35

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1014/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)