# L_2021119EN.01000101.xml

| 7.4.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 119/1 |
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7.4.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 119/1

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POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2021/561

of 30 March 2021

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/1/2021)

THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 (1), which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI), under the command of Rear Admiral Fabio AGOSTINI as EU Operation Commander. |
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(1)

On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 (1), which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI), under the command of Rear Admiral Fabio AGOSTINI as EU Operation Commander.

| (2) | Pursuant to Article 8(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, 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 in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). |
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(2)

Pursuant to Article 8(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, 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 in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).

| (3) | On 30 April 2020, the EU Operation Commander recommended that Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI be appointed as EU Force Commander for the first half of the operation's remaining mandate and Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS for the second half. |
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(3)

On 30 April 2020, the EU Operation Commander recommended that Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI be appointed as EU Force Commander for the first half of the operation's remaining mandate and Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS for the second half.

| (4) | On 28 May 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/718 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI as EU Force Commander from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020 and Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS from 19 October 2020 until 31 March 2021. |
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(4)

On 28 May 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/718 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI as EU Force Commander from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020 and Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS from 19 October 2020 until 31 March 2021.

| (5) | The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain Stefano FRUMENTO as the new EU Force Commander as from 1 April 2021. The Italian authorities have indicated that Captain Stefano FRUMENTO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. |
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(5)

The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain Stefano FRUMENTO as the new EU Force Commander as from 1 April 2021. The Italian authorities have indicated that Captain Stefano FRUMENTO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.

| (6) | On 12 March 2021, the EU Military Committee supported this recommendation. |
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(6)

On 12 March 2021, the EU Military Committee supported this recommendation.

| (7) | In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications, |
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(7)

In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Stefano FRUMENTO is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) from 1 April 2021.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 1 April 2021.

Done at Brussels, 30 March 2021.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

S. FROM-EMMESBERGER

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(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4).

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(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/718 of 28 May 2020 appointing the EU Force Commander of the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (OJ L 168, 29.5.2020, p. 64).

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