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)

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) 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) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33. , 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 9 November 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 of 9 November 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force 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) 2022/1224 (ATALANTA/6/2022) (OJ L 293, 14.11.2022, p. 48). , appointing Commodore Nuno Filipe CORTES LOPES as the EU Force 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). (3) By Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2441 Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2441 of 12 December 2022 amending Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP on a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (OJ L 319, 13.12.2022, p. 80). , 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) was renamed the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA). (4) On 29 December 2022, the EU Operation Commander recommended the appointment of Captain Juan María IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander from 15 February 2023. The Spanish authorities indicated that Captain Juan María IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. (5) On 6 January 2023, the EU Military Committee agreed to that recommendation. (6) Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 should therefore be repealed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Captain Juan María IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN is hereby appointed EU Force Commander of the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) from 15 February 2023.