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)

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) 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). (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 4 April 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 of 4 April 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) 2022/1681 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2023) (OJ L 98, 11.4.2023, p. 6). appointing Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2023. (4) On 5 September 2023, the Greek military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS to succeed Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 October 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment. (5) On 12 September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Greek military authorities. (6) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken. (7) Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 should be repealed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) from 1 October 2023.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 is repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 October 2023. Done at Brussels, 26 September 2023. For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson D. Pronk