Date: 2019-11-29Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2019/1988 of 26 November 2019 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) 2019/1245 (ATALANTA/4/2019)
## Summary of Political and Security Committee Decision CFSP 2019/1988 Regarding EU Military Operation Atalanta
This document outlines Political and Security Committee (PSC) Decision CFSP 2019/1988, enacted on November 26, 2019, concerning the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation "Atalanta." Operation Atalanta aims to deter, prevent, and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
The decision formally appoints Commodore Jos Vizinha Mirones as the EU Force Commander, effective December 3, 2019. This appointment follows a recommendation from the EU Operation Commander and endorsement by the EU Military Committee on October 25, 2019. Consequently, the decision also repeals PSC Decision CFSP 2019/1245, which had previously appointed Rear Admiral Armando Paolo Simi as EU Force Commander on July 18, 2019.
The legal basis for this decision lies within Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6(1) of Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP. Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and the implementation of this decision, in accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22. The decision enters into force on December 3, 2019.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: An economic and political union of European countries.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for common foreign and security policy (CFSP) matters.
Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP: A European Union joint action concerning a military operation to address piracy off the Somali coast.
Somali coast: The coastal region of Somalia, an area affected by piracy.
Atalanta: The European Union military operation to deter, prevent, and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
Commodore Jos VIZINHA MIRONES: Appointed as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation Atalanta.
Rear Admiral Armando Paolo SIMI: Former EU Force Commander, replaced by Commodore Jos VIZINHA MIRONES.
Brussels: The location where the decision was made.
L 308/98 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e an Union 29.11.2019
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2019/1988
of 26 November 2019
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) 2019/1245 (ATALANTA/4/2019)
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
(Atalanta) (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 ('EU Force Commander').
(2) On 18 July 2019, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/1245 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Armando Paolo SIMI as
EU Force Commander.
(3) The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Commodore José VIZINHA MIRONES as the
new EU Force Commander as from 3 December 2019.
(4) On 25 October 2019, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2019/1245 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
Commodore José VIZINHA MIRONES 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 3 December 2019.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2019/1245 is repealed.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2019/1245 of 18 July 2019 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) 2019/373 (ATALANTA/2/2019) (OJ L 194, 22.7.2019, p. 2).29.11.2019 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 308/99
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 3 December 2019.
Done at Brussels, 26 November 2019.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
S. FROM-EMMESBERGER