18.2.2022   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 37/39


POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2022/217

of 15 February 2022

on the appointment of the EU Force 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) 2022/41 (ATALANTA/3/2022)

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 the relevant decisions on the appointment of the EU Force 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) (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(2)

On 10 January 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/41 (2) appointing Commodore João Paulo SILVA PEREIRA as the EU Force Commander.

(3)

The EU Operation Commander for Atalanta has recommended the appointment of Captain (Navy) Fabrizio BONDI as the new EU Force Commander as from 17 March 2022. The Italian authorities have indicated that Captain (Navy) Fabrizio BONDI will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.

(4)

On 17 January 2022, the EU Military Committee agreed to that recommendation.

(5)

Decision (CFSP) 2022/41 should therefore be repealed.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

Rear Admiral Fabrizio BONDI is hereby appointed EU Force 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) as from 17 March 2022.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2022/41 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 17 March 2022.

Done at Brussels, 15 February 2022.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK


(1)   OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.

(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/41 of 10 January 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force 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) 2021/1184 (ATALANTA/1/2022) (OJ L 9, 14.1.2022, p. 1).