POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2610

of 15 November 2023

on the appointment of the EU Operation 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) 2021/661 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2023)

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 decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation 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 Operation Commander’).

(2) On 20 April 2021, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 (2) appointing Vice Admiral José M. NÚÑEZ TORRENTE as EU Operation Commander from 21 April 2021.

(3) On 22 September 2023, the Spanish military authorities proposed that Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO succeed Vice Admiral José M. NÚÑEZ TORRENTE as EU Operation Commander from 23 November 2023.

(4) On 28 September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the proposal to appoint Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO as EU Operation Commander.

(5) On 30 October 2023, Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO was promoted to Vice Admiral.

(6) Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 should therefore be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Vice Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO is hereby appointed as EU Operation 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 23 November 2023.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2021/661 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

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

It shall apply from 23 November 2023.

Done at Brussels, 15 November 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) 2021/661 of 20 April 2021 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 (ATALANTA/3/2021) (

OJ L 140, 23.4.2021, p. 12

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2610/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)