Date: 30-Jan-2025 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: Europe

Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 of 28 January 2025 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2025)

Issued by Political and Security Committee · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

What it means

The gazette notification refers to Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/199 regarding the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, which aims to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis.
The decision also repeals Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763.

Key Changes

Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS is appointed as the new EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, effective from 2 February 2025.
Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS succeeds Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS, who was appointed on 1 November 2024.
Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763, which appointed Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS, is repealed.

Impact Analysis

Stakeholders

European Union and Member States: Continued commitment to maritime security in the Red Sea.

Suggested Action Items

Briefing: Ensure the new Force Commander is fully briefed on all relevant aspects of the operation.

Key Entities Referenced

Political and Security Committee (PSC): The EU body responsible for taking decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES: The European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis. Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS: The newly appointed EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, effective 2 February 2025. Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS: The outgoing EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, whose term ends on 2 February 2025. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583: The Council Decision establishing EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763: The Political and Security Committee Decision of 22 October 2024, which appointed Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS as EU Force Commander and which is now repealed. Treaty on European Union, Article 38: Legal basis for the Political and Security Committee decision.

Official Source Record View Original Source →

See Full Document Text

                Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/199 30.1.2025
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2025/199
of 28 January 2025
on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security
operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)
and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2025)
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) 2024/583 of 8 February 2024 on a European Union maritime security operation
to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (1), and in particular Article 4(2)
thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, which established a European Union maritime
security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).
(2) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee
(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (the ‘EU Force
Commander’).
(3) On 22 October 2024, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 (2), appointing Commodore Konstantinos
PITYKAKIS as EU Force Commander as from 1 November 2024.
(4) On 15 January 2025, the Greek Military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Michail
PANTOUVAKIS to succeed Commodore Konstantinos PITYKAKIS as the EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed
appointment’) as from 2 February 2025.
(5) On 15 January 2025, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.
(6) On 20 January 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Commodore
Michail PANTOUVAKIS be appointed as EU Force Commander.
(7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS as EU Force Commander should be taken.
(8) Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Commodore Michail PANTOUVAKIS is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security
operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) as from 2 February
2025.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2024/2763 of 22 October 2024 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander
for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis
(EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2038 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2024) (OJ L, 2024/2763, 28.10.2024,
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2763/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/199/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 30.1.2025
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 2 February 2025.
Done at Brussels, 28 January 2025.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/199/oj
            