# L_2018087EN.01001401.xml

| 3.4.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 87/14 |
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3.4.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 87/14

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POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2018/522

of 27 March 2018

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) 2017/1356 (ATALANTA/1/2018)

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 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 (‘EU Force Commander’). |
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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 (‘EU Force Commander’).

| (2) | On 18 July 2017, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Fabio GREGORI as EU Force Commander. |
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(2)

On 18 July 2017, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Fabio GREGORI as EU Force Commander.

| (3) | The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Rear Admiral Simone MALVAGNA as the new EU Force Commander to succeed Rear Admiral Fabio GREGORI as from 5 April 2018. |
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(3)

The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Rear Admiral Simone MALVAGNA as the new EU Force Commander to succeed Rear Admiral Fabio GREGORI as from 5 April 2018.

| (4) | On 5 March 2018, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation. |
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(4)

On 5 March 2018, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.

| (5) | Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 should therefore be repealed. |
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(5)

Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 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 Simone MALVAGNA 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 5 April 2018.

Article 2

Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 is repealed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on 5 April 2018.

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2018.

For the Political and Security Committee

The Chairperson

W. STEVENS

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

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(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2017/1356 of 18 July 2017 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) 2017/321 (ATALANTA/2/2017) (OJ L 190, 21.7.2017, p. 12).

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