POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2021/661

of 20 April 2021

on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 (ATALANTA/3/2021)

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 the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (1), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) 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 Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (‘EU Operation Commander’).

(2) On 26 January 2021, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Eugenio DÍAZ DEL RÍO as EU Operation Commander as from 19 February 2021.

(3) The Spanish Military Authorities have proposed that Vice Admiral José M. NÚŇEZ TORRENTE succeed Rear Admiral Eugenio DÍAZ DEL RÍO as EU Operation Commander.

(4) On 25 March 2021, the EU Military Committee supported the nomination of Vice Admiral José M. NÚŇEZ TORRENTE as EU Operation Commander as from 21 April 2021.

(5) Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 should therefore be repealed.

(6) In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and the implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Vice Admiral José M. NÚŇEZ TORRENTE is hereby appointed as EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, as from 21 April 2021.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 21 April 2021.

Done at Brussels, 20 April 2021.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

S. FROM-EMMESBERGER

(1)  

OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33

.

(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2021/87 of 26 January 2021 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2019/1613 (ATALANTA/1/2021) (

OJ L 30, 28.1.2021, p. 4

).