Date: 2023-04-11Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 of 4 April 2023 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2023)
**Summary:**
Political and Security Committee Decision CFSP 2023/743, enacted on April 4, 2023, appoints Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, effective April 1, 2023. This decision repeals Decision CFSP 2022/1681, which had appointed Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as the EU Force Commander from October 1, 2022. The decision is based on Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 8(2) of Council Decision CFSP 2020/472, which established EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. The appointment of Rear Admiral RINALDI was proposed by Italian military authorities on February 24, 2023, supported by the EU Operation Commander, and endorsed by the EU Military Committee on March 3, 2023. The decision was made in Brussels and signed by the Chairperson of the Political and Security Committee, D. PRONK.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: An economic and political union of European countries.
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI: A European Union military operation in the Mediterranean.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for common foreign and security policy.
Council Decision CFSP 2020/472: A Council decision establishing and launching EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS: Former EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
Rear Admiral Navy Valentino RINALDI: Newly appointed EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
Council Decision CFSP 2022/1681: Council Decision appointing Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as EU Force Commander, later repealed.
Brussels: City in Belgium; location where the decision was made.
L 98/6 EN Official Journal of the European Union 11.4.2023
DECISIONS
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/743
of 4 April 2023
on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the
Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (EUNAVFOR
MED IRINI/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 Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the
Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)(1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European
Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).
(2) Pursuant to Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take
decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
(3) On 27 September 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681(2) appointing Rear Admiral Stylianos
DIMOPOULOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 October 2022.
(4) On 24 February 2023, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral (Navy) Valentino
RINALDI to succeed Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED
IRINI from 1 April 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment.
(5) On 3 March 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Italian military
authorities.
(6) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI should be taken.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation
in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2022) is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 of 27 September 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander
for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/513
(EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2022) (OJ L 252, 30.9.2022, p. 74).11.4.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 98/7
Article 3
This Decision shall apply from 1 April 2023.
Done at Brussels, 4 April 2023.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK