Document ID: 32023D2078
Language: ENG

<table><col/><col/><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>28.9.2023&#160;&#160;&#160;</p></td><td><p>EN</p></td><td><p>Official Journal of the European Union</p></td><td><p>L 239/35</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2078
of 26 September 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) 2023/743 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/3/2023)
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:
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(1)</p></td><td><p>On 31&#160;March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP)&#160;2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(2)</p></td><td><p>Pursuant to Article&#160;8(2) of Decision (CFSP)&#160;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.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(3)</p></td><td><p>On 4&#160;April 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP)&#160;2023/743&#160;<a>(<span>2</span>)</a> appointing Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1&#160;April 2023.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(4)</p></td><td><p>On 5&#160;September 2023, the Greek military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS to succeed Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1&#160;October 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(5)</p></td><td><p>On 12&#160;September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Greek military authorities.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(6)</p></td><td><p>A decision on the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><col/><col/><tbody><tr><td><p>(7)</p></td><td><p>Decision (CFSP)&#160;2023/743 should be repealed,</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) from 1 October 2023.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 is repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 1 October 2023.
Done at Brussels, 26 September 2023.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
<note>
( 1 ) OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4 .
( 2 ) 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) ( OJ L 98, 11.4.2023, p. 6 ).
</note>