Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/1691 of 11 June 2024 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) 2024/570 (ATALANTA/2/2024)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/1691 13.6.2024 POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2024/1691 of 11 June 2024 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) 2024/570 (ATALANTA/2/2024) 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) (1), 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.

(3) On 6 February 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/570 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Francesco SALADINO as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA as from 11 February 2024.

(4) On 18 April 2024, the Spanish military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Manuel ALVARGONZÁLEZ MÉNDEZ to succeed Rear Admiral Francesco SALADINO as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (the ‘proposed appointment’) as from 20 June 2024.

(5) On 29 April 2024, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 7 May 2024, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Rear Admiral Manuel ALVARGONZÁLEZ MÉNDEZ be appointed as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA as from 20 June 2024.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Manuel ALVARGONZÁLEZ MÉNDEZ as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/570 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Rear Admiral Manuel ALVARGONZÁLEZ MÉNDEZ is hereby 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 20 June 2024.

Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2024/570 is hereby repealed.

(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/570 of 6 February 2024 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) 2023/2730 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2024) (OJ L, 2024/570,

9.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/570/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1691/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 13.6.2024 Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on 20 June 2024.

Done at Brussels, 11 June 2024.

For the Political and Security Committee The President D. PRONK 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1691/oj