Date: 2026-02-05Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/310 of 3 February 2026 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) 2025/2244 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2026)
**Executive Summary**
This is a decision by the Political and Security Committee (CFSP) 2026/310, dated 3 February 2026, concerning the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA military operation. It appoints Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI and repeals Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244. The decision is effective from 20 February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment:**
* Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI is appointed as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
* The appointment is effective as of 20 February 2026.
* **Repeal of Previous Decision:**
* Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 is repealed.
* **Entry into Force:**
* This decision enters into force on 20 February 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Italian Military Authorities**
* **Impact:** Their proposal to appoint Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI as EU Force Commander has been accepted, and he will be promoted to Rear Admiral before the appointment.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI is promoted to Rear Admiral before 20 February 2026.
**Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI**
* **Impact:** Appointed as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
* **Action Required:** Assume the responsibilities of the EU Force Commander effective 20 February 2026.
**EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation**
* **Impact:** The operation receives a new EU Force Commander.
* **Action Required:** Integrate the new EU Force Commander into the operation's command structure.
Key Entities Referenced
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA: The European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea
Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP: Joint action establishing the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA operation
Political and Security Committee: Committee authorized to appoint the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA
Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244: Decision appointing the previous EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, which is being repealed
Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI: The newly appointed EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/310 5.2.2026
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/310
of 3 February 2026
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) 2025/2244 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/1/2026)
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 maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA)(1), and in particular
Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, which provides for a European Union
military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR
ATALANTA).
(2) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee
(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (the ‘EU Force
Commander’).
(3) On 4 November 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244(2), appointing Commodore João Pedro
MONTEIRO DA SILVA as EU Force Commander as from 7 November 2025.
(4) On 7 January 2026, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain Daniele Paolo Maria
MARTINUZZI to succeed Commodore João Pedro MONTEIRO DA SILVA as EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed
appointment’). The Italian military authorities indicated that Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI would be
promoted to Rear Admiral before his appointment as EU Force Commander.
(5) On 8 January 2026, the EU Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed
appointment.
(6) On 12 January 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Captain
Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI be appointed as EU Force Commander.
(7) A decision on the appointment of Captain Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI as EU Force Commander should be
taken.
(8) Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI is appointed as 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) as
from 20 February 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/joint_action/2008/851/oj.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/2244 of 4 November 2025 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) 2025/1173 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2025) (OJ L, 2025/2244,
5.11.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2244/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/310/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 5.2.2026
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 20 February 2026.
Done at Brussels, 3 February 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
L. MANDEL VENSILD
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/310/oj