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)

28.9.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 239/35 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)(1), 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(2)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(7) Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 should be repealed,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Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 is repealed.

(1) OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4.

(2) 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).L 239/36 EN Official Journal of the European Union 28.9.2023 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