POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1173

of 10 June 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) 2025/365 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2025)

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 18 February 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/365 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Davide DA POZZO as the EU Force Commander.

(4) On 8 May 2025, the Spanish military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ to succeed Rear Admiral Davide DA POZZO as the new EU Force Commander.

(5) On 9 May 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 14 May 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ be appointed as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ as EU Force Commander should be taken.

(8) Decision (CFSP) 2025/365 should therefore be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ 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 12 June 2025.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2025/365 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 12 June 2025.

Done at Brussels, 10 June 2025.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

(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) 2025/365 of 18 February 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) 2024/2983 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2025) (

OJ L, 2025/365, 19.2.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/365/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1173/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)