Date: 2019-07-01Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2019/1112 of 12 June 2019 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 (EUNAVFOR MED/1/2019)
**Summary:**
Political and Security Committee Decision CFSP 2019/1112, enacted on June 12, 2019, appoints Rear Admiral LH Ettore SOCCI as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, effective June 12, 2019. This decision repeals Political and Security Committee Decision CFSP 2018/1219, which had appointed Rear Admiral LH Stefano TURCHETTO to the same position. The decision is based on Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6 of Council Decision CFSP 2015/778, and follows the recommendation of the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA and the support of the European Union Military Committee. Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and the implementation of this decision.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) matters.
Council Decision CFSP 2015/778: A Council Decision establishing a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA).
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA: A European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean.
Rear Admiral LH Ettore SOCCI: Appointed as the EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA.
Rear Admiral LH Stefano TURCHETTO: Former EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA.
Decision CFSP 2018/1219: Decision appointing Rear Admiral LH Stefano TURCHETTO as EU Force Commander, which is repealed by this decision.
Brussels: The location where the decision was finalized.
L 176/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 1.7.2019
DECISIONS
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2019/1112
of 12 June 2019
on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in
the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing Decision
(CFSP) 2018/1219 (EUNAVFOR MED/1/2019)
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) 2015/778 of 18 May 2015 on a European Union military operation in the
Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) (1), and in particular Article 6 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Decision (CFSP) 2015/778, the Council authorised the Political and Security
Committee (PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR MED
operation SOPHIA (‘EU Force Commander’).
(2) On 23 August 2018, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 (2) appointing Rear Admiral (LH) Stefano
TURCHETTO as EU Force Commander.
(3) The EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA has recommended the appointment of
Rear Admiral (LH) Ettore SOCCI to succeed Rear Admiral (LH) Stefano TURCHETTO as the new EU Force
Commander as from 12 June 2019.
(4) On 5 June 2019, the European Union Military Committee supported that recommendation.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 should 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 (LH) Ettore SOCCI is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation
in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) as from 12 June 2019.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 122, 19.5.2015, p. 31.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 of 23 August 2018 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for
the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing
Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 (EUNAVFOR MED/1/2018) (OJ L 226, 7.9.2018, p. 5).1.7.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 176/3
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 12 June 2019.
Done at Brussels, 12 June 2019.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
S. FROM-EMMESBERGER