Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/310 of 3 February 2026 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) 2025/2244 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2026)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/310 5.2.2026 POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/310 of 3 February 2026 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) 2025/2244 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2026) 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 (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(3) On 4 November 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244(2), appointing Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA as EU Force Commander as from 7 November 2025.

(4) On 7 January 2026, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI to succeed Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA as EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’). The Italian military authorities indicated that Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI would be promoted to Rear Admiral before his appointment as EU Force Commander.

(5) On 8 January 2026, the EU Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 12 January 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI be appointed as EU Force Commander.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI as EU Force Commander should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI 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 20 February 2026.

Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 is hereby repealed.

(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/joint_action/2008/851/oj.

(2) 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) (OJ L, 2025/2244,

5.11.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2244/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/310/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 5.2.2026 Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on 20 February 2026.

Done at Brussels, 3 February 2026.

For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson L. MANDEL VENSILD 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/310/oj