Date: 2019-02-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2019/264 of 7 February 2019 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 (BiH/27/2019)
Executive Summary:
This decision, made by the Political and Security Committee on February 7, 2019, appoints Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN as the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, effective March 29, 2019, at 12:00 hours CET. It also repeals Decision CFSP 2017/464, which had previously appointed General Sir James EVERARD to the role. The decision is based on the North Atlantic Council confirming RITTIMANN's availability.
Key Points / Main Content:
Appointment of EU Operation Commander:
* Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN is appointed as EU Operation Commander for the EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
* RITTIMANN succeeds General Sir James EVERARD.
* The appointment is effective from March 29, 2019, at 12:00 hours CET.
Repeal of Previous Decision:
* Decision CFSP 2017/464, which appointed General Sir James EVERARD, is repealed.
Entry into Force:
* This Decision enters into force on March 29, 2019.
Impact Analysis:
European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
* Impact: A new EU Operation Commander will be in place.
* Action Required: Adapt to the leadership of Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN.
Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN:
* Impact: Assumes the role of EU Operation Commander.
* Action Required: Assume command of the EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, effective March 29, 2019.
General Sir James EVERARD:
* Impact: Relieved of duties as EU Operation Commander.
* Action Required: Hand over command to Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: A country in Southeastern Europe, which is the location of the European Union military operation.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for common foreign and security policy (CFSP) matters.
Council Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP: A joint action of the Council of the European Union concerning the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
General Sir James EVERARD: Former EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN: The newly appointed EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe: The headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Europe.
Decision CFSP 2017/464: A decision of the Political and Security Committee concerning the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
L 44/12 EN Official Journal of the European Union 15.2.2019
DECISIONS
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2019/264
of 7 February 2019
on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 (BiH/27/2019)
THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 38 thereof,
Having regard to Council Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the European Union military operation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), and in particular Article 6 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security
Committee to take relevant decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander.
(2) On 7 March 2017, the Political and Security Committee adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 (2) appointing
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir James EVERARD as EU Operation
Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(3) On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland notified the European Council, in
accordance with Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, of its intention to withdraw from the European
Union.
(4) On 8 October 2018, the Political and Security Committee decided in principle that the Vice-Chief of Staff at the
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) should be appointed as EU Operation Commander for the
European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 29 March 2019, subject to NATO
confirming his availability.
(5) On 7 December 2018, the North Atlantic Council confirmed the availability of the Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE
to assume the role of EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina under the ‘Berlin plus’ Arrangements, as of 29 March 2019.
(6) Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN, Vice-Chief of Staff at SHAPE, should therefore be appointed as EU
Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 29 March
2019 at 12.00 hours CET.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 should therefore be repealed.
(8) 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.
(9) On 12 and 13 December 2002, the Copenhagen European Council adopted a declaration stating that the ‘Berlin
plus’ arrangements and the implementation thereof will apply only to those Member States of the Union which
are also either NATO members or parties to the ‘Partnership for Peace’, and which have consequently concluded
bilateral security agreements with NATO,
(1) OJ L 252, 28.7.2004, p. 10.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 of 7 March 2017 on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander for
the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision BiH/21/2014 (BiH/24/2017)
(OJ L 72, 17.3.2017, p. 70).15.2.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 44/13
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Lieutenant General Olivier RITTIMANN, Vice-Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, is hereby
appointed to succeed General Sir James EVERARD as EU Operation Commander for the European Union military
operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 29 March 2019 at 12.00 hours CET.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2017/464 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 29 March 2019.
Done at Brussels, 7 February 2019.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
S. FROM-EMMESBERGER