# L_2023098EN.01000601.xml

| 11.4.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 98/6 |
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11.4.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 98/6

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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)

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:

| (1) | On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). |
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(1)

On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, which established and launched a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).

| (2) | Pursuant to Decision (CFSP) 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. |
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(2)

Pursuant to Decision (CFSP) 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.

| (3) | On 27 September 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 October 2022. |
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(3)

On 27 September 2022, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 October 2022.

| (4) | On 24 February 2023, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral (Navy) Valentino RINALDI to succeed Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment. |
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(4)

On 24 February 2023, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral (Navy) Valentino RINALDI to succeed Rear Admiral Stylianos DIMOPOULOS as the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment.

| (5) | On 3 March 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Italian military authorities. |
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(5)

On 3 March 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Italian military authorities.

| (6) | A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI should be taken. |
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(6)

A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI should be taken.

| (7) | Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 should be repealed, |
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(7)

Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2022) is hereby repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall apply from 1 April 2023.

Done at Brussels, 4 April 2023.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

D. PRONK

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(1)  
  OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p. 4.

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(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/1681 of 27 September 2022 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2022/513 (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI/4/2022) (OJ L 252, 30.9.2022, p. 74).

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