Date: 2023-07-14Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/1457 of 13 July 2023 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2023)
**Summary:**
On July 13, 2023, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) adopted Decision CFSP 2023/1457 concerning the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, which contributes to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. This decision, based on Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 6(1) of Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, appoints Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri as the EU Force Commander, effective July 17, 2023. The appointment follows a proposal from the Italian military authorities, supported by the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and the EU Military Committee. Decision CFSP 2023/1457 also repeals Decision CFSP 2023/311, which previously appointed Rear Admiral Juan Mara Ibañez Martín as the EU Force Commander. The decision entered into force on July 17, 2023.
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 Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) matters.
West Indian Ocean: A region in the Indian Ocean, relevant to maritime security operations.
Red Sea: A sea between Africa and Asia, connected to the Indian Ocean, relevant to maritime security operations.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA: A European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP: A joint action by the Council of the European Union establishing the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA operation.
Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI: Appointed as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, effective 17 July 2023.
Rear Admiral Juan Mara IBAEZ MARTN: The previous EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, succeeded by Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI.
L 179/114 EN Official Journal of the European Union 14.7.2023
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1457
of 13 July 2023
on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to
contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2023)
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 2008on a European Union military operation to
contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR 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 maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA) (the ‘EU Force Commander’).
(2) On 7 February 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/311(2), appointing Rear Admiral Juan María IBAÑEZ
MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander.
(3) On 23 May 2023, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI to
succeed Rear Admiral Juan María IBAÑEZ MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander from 17 July 2023.
(4) On 2 June 2023, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported that proposed appointment.
(5) On 9 June 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Italian military authorities.
(6) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI should be taken.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 should therefore be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Rear Admiral Fabrizio RUTTERI is hereby appointed as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military
operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) from
17 July 2023.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/311 of 7 February 2023 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for
the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2023) (OJ L 40, 10.2.2023, p. 24).14.7.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 179/115
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 17 July 2023.
Done at Brussels, 13 July 2023.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK