Date: 2023-02-10Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
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)
**Executive Summary:**
This Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP 2023/311) appoints Captain Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, contributing to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, effective from 15 February 2023. The decision repeals Decision CFSP 2022/2205. This decision was made following a recommendation from the EU Operation Commander and agreement from the EU Military Committee.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Appointment:**
* Captain Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN is appointed EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, effective 15 February 2023.
* Captain Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon appointment.
* **Repeal:**
* Decision CFSP 2022/2205, which previously appointed Commodore Nuno Filipe CORTES LOPES, is repealed.
* **Entry into Force:**
* This Decision enters into force on 15 February 2023.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Captain Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN:**
* *Impact:* Appointed as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and will be promoted to Rear Admiral.
* *Action Required:* Assume command of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA on 15 February 2023.
* **EU Operation Commander:**
* *Impact:* Their recommendation for the appointment of Captain Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN was approved.
* *Action Required:* Ensure a smooth handover of command.
* **EU Military Committee:**
* *Impact:* Their agreement to the EU Operation Commander's recommendation led to the appointment.
* *Action Required:* Acknowledge the new appointment.
* **EUNAVFOR ATALANTA:**
* *Impact:* Change in leadership with a new EU Force Commander.
* *Action Required:* Cooperate with and support the new EU Force Commander.
* **Political and Security Committee:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for making the decision to appoint the new EU Force Commander.
* *Action Required:* Ensure the decision is implemented and communicated effectively.
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 contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA: The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) military operation ATALANTA, aimed at contributing to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
West Indian Ocean: A region in the western part of the Indian Ocean, relevant to the scope of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA operation.
Red Sea: A sea between Africa and Asia, relevant to the scope of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA operation.
Juan Mara IBEZ MARTN: Captain, appointed as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
Brussels: The de facto capital city of the European Union, where the decision was made.
L 40/24 EN Official Journal of the European Union 10.2.2023
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)
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 9 November 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205(2), appointing Commodore Nuno Filipe
CORTES LOPES as 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).
(3) By Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2441(3), 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) was renamed the
European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea
(EUNAVFOR ATALANTA).
(4) On 29 December 2022, the EU Operation Commander recommended the appointment of Captain Juan María
IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN as the EU Force Commander from 15 February 2023. The Spanish authorities indicated that
Captain Juan María IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force
Commander.
(5) On 6 January 2023, the EU Military Committee agreed to that recommendation.
(6) Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 should therefore be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Captain Juan María IBÁÑEZ MARTÍN is hereby appointed EU Force Commander of the European Union military operation
to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) from
15 February 2023.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/2205 of 9 November 2022 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) 2022/1224 (ATALANTA/6/2022) (OJ L 293, 14.11.2022,
p. 48).
(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2441 of 12 December 2022 amending Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP 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
(OJ L 319, 13.12.2022, p. 80).10.2.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 40/25
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 15 February 2023.
Done at Brussels, 7 February 2023.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK