POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2025/199

of 28 January 2025

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) 2024/2763 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2025)

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 decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(3) On 22 October 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 (2), appointing Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS as EU Force Commander as from 1 November 2024.

(4) On 15 January 2025, the Greek Military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS to succeed Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS as the EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’) as from 2 February 2025.

(5) On 15 January 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 20 January 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS be appointed as EU Force Commander.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS as EU Force Commander should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS is 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) as from 2 February 2025.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 2 February 2025.

Done at Brussels, 28 January 2025.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

(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) 2024/2763 of 22 October 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) 2024/2038 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2024) (

OJ L, 2024/2763, 28.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2763/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/199/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)