1Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 of 4 November 2025 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) 2025/1173 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2025)

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 of 4 November 2025 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) 2025/1173 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2025) 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, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/joint_action/2008/851/oj. , and in particular Article 6(1) thereof, Whereas: (1) On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, which provides for a European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA). (2) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (the EU Force Commander). (3) On 10 June 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1173 Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1173 of 10 June 2025 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) 2025/365 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2025) (OJ L, 2025/1173, 11.6.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1173/oj). appointing Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz as EU Force Commander. (4) On 14 October 2025, the Portuguese military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA to succeed Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz as EU Force Commander as from 7 November 2025 (the proposed appointment). (5) On 16 October 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment. (6) On 20 October 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA be appointed as EU Force Commander. (7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA as EU Force Commander should be taken. (8) Decision (CFSP) 2025/1173 should therefore be repealed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA is appointed as 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) as from 7 November 2025.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2025/1173 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 7 November 2025. Done at Brussels, 4 November 2025. For the Political and Security Committee