# L_2023239EN.01003501.xml

| 28.9.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 239/35 |
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28.9.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 239/35

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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:

| (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 Article 8(2) of 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 Article 8(2) of 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 4 April 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2023. |
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(3)

On 4 April 2023, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 1 April 2023.

| (4) | On 5 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 October 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment. |
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(4)

On 5 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 October 2023. The EU Operation Commander supported that proposed appointment.

| (5) | On 12 September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Greek military authorities. |
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(5)

On 12 September 2023, the EU Military Committee supported the recommendation made by the Greek military authorities.

| (6) | A decision on the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken. |
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(6)

A decision on the appointment of Commodore Konstantinos BAKALAKOS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be taken.

| (7) | Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 should be repealed, |
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(7)

Decision (CFSP) 2023/743 should be repealed,

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

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

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(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).

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