POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1224

of 17 June 2025

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard the freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/3/2025)

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 the 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 military European Union maritime security operation to safeguard the 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 28 January 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 (2), appointing Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS as the EU Force Commander from 2 February 2025.

(4) On 14 April 2025, the Italian Military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain Andrea QUONDAMATTEO to succeed Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS as the EU Force Commander. The Italian authorities indicated that Captain Andrea QUONDAMATTEO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment.

(5) On 9 May 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the appointment of Captain Andrea QUONDAMATTEO from 1 July 2025.

(6) On 14 May 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Captain Andrea QUONDAMATTEO be appointed as EU Force Commander.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Andrea QUONDAMATTEO as the EU Force Commander should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Andrea QUONDAMATTEO is appointed as the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard the freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) from 1 July 2025.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 July 2025.

Done at Brussels, 17 June 2025.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

W. FRYDRYSZEK

(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) 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) (

OJ L, 2025/199, 30.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/199/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1224/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)