Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/513 of 29 March 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/2/2022)

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/513 of 29 March 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/2/2022) 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) OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4. , 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), under the command of Rear Admiral Fabio AGOSTINI as EU Operation Commander. (2) Pursuant to 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 28 September 2021, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 of 28 September 2021 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/561 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2021) (OJ L 350, 4.10.2021, p. 7). , appointing Commodore Michail MAGKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. (4) On 14 March 2022, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Navy Captain Fabrizio RUTTERI to succeed Commodore Michail MAGKOS as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2022. Those authorities have indicated that Captain Fabrizio RUTTERI will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. (5) On 16 March 2022, 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 (7) Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 should be repealed. (8) In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) from 1 April 2022.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2021/1748 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2021) is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall apply from 1 April 2022. Done at Brussels, 29 March 2022. For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson D. Pronk