Date: 2020-06-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2020/895 of 25 June 2020 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) 2020/401 (ATALANTA/2/2020)
**Summary:**
On June 25, 2020, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) adopted Decision CFSP 2020/895, appointing Rear Admiral Riccardo Marchio' as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation "Atalanta," aimed at deterring, preventing, and repressing acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. This appointment is effective from August 26, 2020. The decision repeals Decision CFSP 2020/401, which had previously appointed Rear Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano to the same role. The legal basis for this decision is Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6(1) of Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP. Denmark does not participate in this decision, in accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No. 22.
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 Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP: A European Union joint action concerning a military operation to deter, prevent, and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
Atalanta: The European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention, and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
Somali coast: The coastal region of Somalia, an area affected by piracy.
Decision CFSP 2020/895: A decision of the Political and Security Committee on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation Atalanta.
Rear Admiral Riccardo MARCHIO': The newly appointed EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation Atalanta, effective from 26 August 2020.
Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA SERRANO: The previous EU Force Commander who was replaced by Rear Admiral Riccardo MARCHIO'.
30.6.2020 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 206/63
DECISIONS
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2020/895
of 25 June 2020
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) 2020/401 (ATALANTA/2/2020)
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 (‘EU Force Commander’).
(2) On 12 March 2020, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/401(2) appointing Rear Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA
SERRANO as EU Force Commander.
(3) The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Rear Admiral Riccardo MARCHIO' as the
new EU Force Commander as from 26 August 2020.
(4) On 20 May 2020, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2020/401 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 Riccardo MARCHIO' 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 26 August 2020.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2020/401 of 12 March 2020 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) 2019/1988 (ATALANTA/1/2020) (OJ L 79, 16.3.2020, p. 2).L 206/64 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 30.6.2020
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2020/401 is repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 26 August 2020.
Done at Brussels, 25 June 2020.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
S. FROM-EMMESBERGER