# L_2021098EN.01000101.xml

| 19.3.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 98/1 |
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19.3.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 98/1

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POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2021/471

of 17 March 2021

on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 (ATALANTA/2/2021)

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 the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (1), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, 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 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (‘Atalanta’). |
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(1)

Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, 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 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (‘Atalanta’).

| (2) | On 1 December 2020, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 (2) appointing Captain Diogo ARROTEIA as EU Force Commander for Atalanta. |
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(2)

On 1 December 2020, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 (2) appointing Captain Diogo ARROTEIA as EU Force Commander for Atalanta.

| (3) | The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO as the new EU Force Commander as from 17 March 2021. The Italian authorities have indicated that Captain Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander. |
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(3)

The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO as the new EU Force Commander as from 17 March 2021. The Italian authorities have indicated that Captain Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.

| (4) | On 9 March 2021, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation. |
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(4)

On 9 March 2021, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.

| (5) | Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 should therefore be repealed. |
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(5)

Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 should therefore be repealed.

| (6) | 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 the implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications, |
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(6)

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 the implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO is hereby appointed EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) as from 17 March 2021.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 is hereby repealed.

Article 3

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

It shall apply from 17 March 2021.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2021.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

S. FROM-EMMESBERGER

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(1)  
  OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.

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(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2020/1826 of 1 December 2020 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2020/895 (ATALANTA/3/2020) (OJ L 406, 3.12.2020, p. 60).

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