1Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/626 of 25 March 2025 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2025)

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/626 of 25 March 2025 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2025) 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, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/472/oj. , 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 (the EU Force Commander). (3) On 1 October 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 of 1 October 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1014 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/5/2024) (OJ L, 2024/2641, 4.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2641/oj). appointing Commodore Prokopios CHARITOS as EU Force Commander as from 4 October 2024. (4) On 29 January 2025, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain Alessandro DI BIASI to succeed Commodore Prokopios CHARITOS as EU Force Commander (the proposed appointment). The Italian military authorities indicated that Captain Alessandro DI BIASI would be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. (5) On 17 February 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI supported the proposed appointment. (6) On 25 February 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Captain Alessandro DI BIASI be appointed as EU Force Commander as from 4 April 2025. (7) A decision on the appointment of Captain Alessandro DI BIASI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken. (8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 should be repealed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Alessandro DI BIASI is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) as from 4 April 2025.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2024/2641 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 4 April 2025. Done at Brussels, 25 March 2025. For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson D. Pronk