POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2024/2763

of 22 October 2024

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2024)

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) 2024/583 of 8 February 2024 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, which established a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).

(2) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.

(3) On 17 July 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Massimo BONU as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES as from 8 August 2024.

(4) On 16 October 2024, the Greek military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS to succeed Rear Admiral Massimo BONU as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES from 1 November 2024 (the ‘proposed appointment’).

(5) On 16 October 2024, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 17 October 2024, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) as from 1 November 2024.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 November 2024.

Done at Brussels, 22 October 2024.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

(1)

OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 of 17 July 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/3/2024) (

OJ L, 2024/2038, 29.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2038/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2763/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)