Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 of 17 July 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/3/2024)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/2038 29.7.2024 POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2024/2038 of 17 July 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/3/2024) 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) 2024/583 of 8 February 2024 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, which established a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).

(2) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee

(PSC) to take the relevant decisions in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union, including decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.

(3) On 11 June 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 (2), which appointed Captain (Navy) George PASTOOR as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES from 15 June 2024.

(4) On 10 July 2024, the Italian Military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Massimo BONU to succeed Captain (Navy) George PASTOOR as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES from 8 August 2024 (the ‘proposed appointment’).

(5) On 11 July 2024, the EU Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 12 July 2024, the EU Military Committee agreed to recommend that the PSC approve the proposed appointment.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Massimo BONU as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Rear Admiral Massimo BONU is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) from 8 August 2024.

Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 is hereby repealed.

(1) OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj.

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/1686 of 11 June 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/2/2024) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/644 (OJ L, 2024/1686, 14.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/ 1686/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2038/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 29.7.2024 Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on 8 August 2024.

Done at Brussels, 17 July 2024.

For the Political and Security Committee The President D. PRONK 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2038/oj