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►B 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  
(OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33)  
Amended by:  
Official Journal  
No page  date  
►M1 Council Decision 2009/907/CFSP of 8 December 2009  L 322  27  9.12.2009  
►M2 Council Decision 2010/437/CFSP of 30 July 2010  L 210  33  11.8.2010  
►M3 Council Decision 2010/766/CFSP of 7 December 2010  L 327  49  11.12.2010  
►M4 Council Decision 2012/174/CFSP of 23 March 2012  L 89  69  27.3.2012  
►M5 Council Decision 2014/827/CFSP of 21 November 2014  L 335  19  22.11.2014  
Corrected by:  
►C1 Corrigendum, OJ L 253, 25.9.2009, p. 18 (2008/851/CFSP)  2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 1
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  
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular 
Article 14, the third subparagraph of Article 25 and Article 28(3) thereof,
 
Whereas:  
(1) In its Resolution 1814 (2008) on the situation in Somalia, 
adopted on 15 May 2008, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called on States and regional organisations, in close coordination with one another, to take action to protect shipping involved in the transport and delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia and in activities authorised by the United Nations.
 
(2) In its Resolution 1816 (2008) on the situation in Somalia, 
adopted on 2 June 2008, the UNSC expressed its concern at the threat that acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels pose to the delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia, the safety of commercial maritime routes and international navigation. The 
UNSC encouraged, in particular, States interested in the use of 
commercial maritime routes off the coast of Somalia to increase and coordinate their efforts, in cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), to deter acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea. It authorised, for a period of six months from the date of the resolution, States cooperating with the TFG, of which advance notification had been given by the TFG to the UN Secretary-General, to enter the territorial waters of Somalia and to use, in a manner consistent with relevant inter ­
national law, all necessary means to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.
 
(3) In its Resolution 1838 (2008) on the situation in Somalia, 
adopted on 7 October 2008, the UNSC commended the ongoing planning process towards a possible European Union (EU) naval operation, as well as other international or national initiatives taken with a view to implementing 
Resolutions 1814 (2008) and 1816 (2008), and urged States 
that have the capacity to do so, to cooperate with the TFG in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea in conformity with the provisions of Resolution 1816 (2008). The UNSC also urged States and regional organisations, in conformity with the provisions of Resolution 1814 (2008), to continue to take action to protect the World Food Programme (WFP) maritime convoys, which is vital to bring humanitarian assistance to the affected populations in Somalia.  ▼
B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 2
 
(4) In its conclusions of 26 May 2008, the Council expressed its 
concern at the upsurge of piracy attacks off the Somali coast, which affect humanitarian efforts and international maritime traffic in the region and contribute to continued violations of the UN arms embargo. The Council also commended the sequenced initiatives of some Member States to provide protection to WFP vessels. It stressed the need for wider partici ­
pation by the international community in these escorts in order to 
secure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Somali population.
 
(5) On 5 August 2008, the Council approved a crisis management 
concept for action by the EU to help implement UNSC Resolution 1816 (2008) and for peace and international security in the region.
 
(6) On 15 September 2008, the Council reaffirmed its serious 
concern at the acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali 
coast, deploring, in particular, their recent resurgence. As regards the EU's contribution to the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1816 (2008) on combating piracy off the Somali coast and to the protection, under Resolutions 1814 (2008) and 1816 (2008), of vessels chartered by the WFP and bound for Somalia, the Council decided to establish a coordination cell in Brussels with the task of supporting the surveillance and protection activities carried out by some Member States off the Somali coast. On the same day, it approved, on the one hand, a plan for the implementation of this military coordination action (EU NAVCO) and, on the other, a strategic military option for a possible EU naval operation for which those Member States wishing to cooperate with the TFG under Resolution 1816 (2008) would make available military resources for the deterrence and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
 
(7) On 19 September 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 
2008/749/CFSP on the European Union military coordination action in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1816 (2008) (EU NAVCO) (
 1 ). 
(8) On the launch of the Atalanta military operation, the tasks of the 
military coordination cell will be exercised under this Joint 
Action. The coordination cell should then be closed.  
(9) The Political and Security Committee (PSC) should exercise 
political control over the EU military operation in order to help deter acts of piracy off the Somali coast, provide it with strategic direction and take the relevant decisions in accordance with third subparagraph of Article 25 of the Treaty.  ▼
B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 3  
( 1 ) OJ L 252, 20.9.2008, p. 39.
 (10) Under Article 28(3) of the Treaty, the operational expenditure, 
arising from this Joint Action, which has military or defence implications, should be borne by the Member States in accordance with Council Decision 2007/384/CFSP of 14 May 2007 establishing a mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of European Union operations having military or defence implications (Athena) (
 1 ) (hereinafter 
referred to as ‘Athena’).  
(11) Article 14(1) of the Treaty calls for Joint Actions to lay down the 
means to be made available to the European Union. The financial reference amount, for a twelve-month period, for the common 
costs of the EU military operation constitutes the best current 
estimate and is without prejudice to the final figures to be included in a budget to be approved in accordance with the rules laid down in the decision regarding Athena.
 
(12) By letter dated 30 October 2008, the EU made an offer to the 
TFG, pursuant to point 7 of Resolution 1816 (2008), which contains proposals for States other than Somalia to exercise juris ­
diction over persons captured in Somali territorial waters who have committed, or are suspected of having committed, acts of piracy or armed robbery.
 
(13) In accordance with Article 6 of the Protocol on the position of 
Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the European Union which have defence implications. Denmark does not participate in the implementation of this Joint Action and therefore does not participate in the financing of the operation,
 
HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:  
▼M4 
Article 1  
Mission  
1. The European Union (EU) shall conduct a military operation in 
support of Resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008), 1838 (2008), 1846 (2008) and 1851 (2008) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a manner consistent with action permitted with respect to piracy under Article 100 et seq. of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed in Montego Bay on 10 December 1982 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’) and by means, in particular, of commitments made with third States (‘Atalanta’) in order to contribute to:
 
— the protection of vessels of the WFP delivering food aid to displaced 
persons in Somalia, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UNSC Resolution 1814 (2008), and  ▼
B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 4  
( 1 ) OJ L 152, 13.6.2007, p. 14.
 — the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, 
and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UNSC Resolutions 1846 (2008) and 1851 (2008).
 
2. The area of operations of the forces deployed to that end shall 
consist of the Somali coastal territory and internal waters, and the maritime areas off the coasts of Somalia and neighbouring countries within the region of the Indian Ocean, in accordance with the political objective of an EU maritime operation, as defined in the crisis management concept approved by the Council on 5 August 2008.  
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3. In addition, Atalanta may contribute, as a non–executive 
secondary task, within existing means and capabilities and upon request, to the EU's integrated approach to Somalia and the relevant activities of the international community, thereby helping to address the root causes of piracy and its networks.
 
▼B 
Article 2  
Mandate  
►C1 Under the conditions set by applicable international law, in 
particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and 
by UNSC Resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008) and 1838 (2008), 
Atalanta shall, as far as available capabilities allow: ◄ 
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(a) provide protection to vessels chartered by the WFP, including by 
means of the presence on board those vessels of armed units of Atalanta, including when sailing in Somalia’s territorial and internal waters;  
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(b) provide protection, based on a case-by-case evaluation of needs, to 
merchant vessels cruising in the areas where it is deployed;  
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(c) keep watch over areas off the Somali coast, including Somalia’s 
territorial and internal waters, in which there are dangers to maritime activities, in particular to maritime traffic;  
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(d) take the necessary measures, including the use of force, to deter, 
prevent and intervene in order to bring to an end acts of piracy and armed robbery which may be committed in the areas where it is present;  
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(e) in view of prosecutions potentially being brought by the relevant 
States under the conditions in Article 12, arrest, detain and transfer persons suspected of intending, as referred to in Articles 101 and 103 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to 
commit, committing or having committed acts of piracy or armed 
robbery in the areas where it is present and seize the vessels of the pirates or armed robbers or the vessels caught following an act of piracy or an armed robbery and which are in the hands of the pirates or armed robbers, as well as the property on board;
 ▼M4 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 5
 
(f) liaise with organisations and entities, as well as States, working in 
the region to combat acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, in particular the ‘Combined Task Force 151’ maritime force which operates within the framework of ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’;
 
▼M5 
(g) collect, in accordance with applicable law, personal data concerning 
persons referred to in point (e) related to characteristics likely to 
assist in their identification, including fingerprints, as well as the following particulars, with the exclusion of other personal data: surname, maiden name, given names and any alias or assumed name; date and place of birth, nationality, sex; place of residence, profession and whereabouts; driving licenses, identification documents and passport data;
 
(h) for the purpose of circulating data via the International Criminal 
Police Organisation's (INTERPOL) channels and checking it against INTERPOL's databases, and pending the conclusion of an agreement between the Union and INTERPOL, transmit to the National Central Bureau (‘NCB’) of INTERPOL of the Member States, in accordance with arrangements to be concluded between the EU Operation Commander and the Head of the appropriate NCBs, the following data:
 
— personal data referred to in point (g),  
— data related to the equipment used by persons referred to in 
point (e).  
The personal data shall not be stored after its transmission to 
INTERPOL;  
(i) transmit the data referred to in point (h) to EUROPOL according to 
the provisions of an arrangement to be concluded between the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EUROPOL. The personal data shall not be stored after its transmission to EUROPOL;
 
(j) contribute, within existing means and capabilities, to the moni ­
toring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and support 
the licensing and registration scheme for artisanal and industrial fishing in waters under Somali jurisdiction developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), when in place, at the exclusion of any enforcement activity;
 
(k) liaise, in close coordination with the European External Action 
Service, with Somali entities and private companies operating on their behalf, active off the coast of Somalia in the broader field of maritime security, with a view to better understanding their activities and capacities and de-conflict operations at sea;  ▼
M4 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 6
 
(l) assist through logistical support, provision of expertise or training 
at sea, upon their request and within existing means and capa ­
bilities, EUCAP NESTOR, EUTM Somalia, the EU Special Repre ­
sentative for the Horn of Africa, the EU Mission in Somalia with respect to their mandates and the area of operation of Atalanta and contribute to the implementation of relevant EU programmes, in particular the regional Maritime security programme (MASE) under the 10th EDF;
 
(m) make data relating to fishing activities gathered by EUNAVFOR 
units off the coast of Somalia available, via the relevant Commission service, to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, its Member States and the FAO, and once sufficient progress has been made ashore in the area of maritime capacity-building, including security measures for the exchange of information, 
assist Somali authorities by making available data relating to 
fishing activities compiled in the course of the operation;
 
(n) support, in a manner consistent with United Nations Convention on 
the Law of the Sea and within existing means and capabilities, the activities of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) pursuant to resolutions 2060 (2012), 2093 (2013) and 2111 (2013) of the UNSC by monitoring and reporting to the SEMG 
vessels of interest suspected of supporting the piracy networks.  
▼
B 
Article 3  
Appointment of the EU Operation Commander  
Rear admiral Phillip Jones is hereby appointed EU Operation 
Commander.  
Article 4  
Designation of the EU Operational Headquarters  
The EU Operational Headquarters shall be located at Northwood, 
United Kingdom.  
Article 5  
Planning and launch of the operation  
The Decision to launch the EU military operation shall be adopted by 
the Council following approval of the Operation Plan and the Rules of Engagement and in the light of the notification by the TFG to the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the offer of cooperation made by the EU pursuant to point 7 of UNSC Resolution 1816 (2008).  ▼
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Article 6  
Political control and strategic direction 
▼M2 
1. Under the responsibility of the Council and of the High Repre ­
sentative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (here ­
inafter referred to as the ‘HR’), the Political and Security Committee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘PSC’) shall exercise the political control and strategic direction of the EU military operation. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty. This authorisation shall include the powers to amend the planning documents, including the Operation Plan, the Chain of Command and the Rules of Engagement. It shall also include the powers to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander. The powers of decision 
with respect to the objectives and termination of the EU military 
operation shall remain vested in the Council, assisted by the HR.  
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B 
2. The PSC shall report to the Council at regular intervals.  
3. The PSC shall receive reports from the chairman of the EU 
Military Committee (EUMC) regarding the conduct of the EU military operation, at regular intervals. The PSC may invite the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander to its meetings, as appropriate.
 
Article 7  
Military direction  
1. The EUMC shall monitor the proper execution of the EU military 
operation conducted under the responsibility of the EU Operation Commander.
 
2. The EUMC shall receive reports from the EU Operation 
Commander at regular intervals. It may invite the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander to its meetings as appropriate.
 
3. The chairman of the EUMC shall act as the primary point of 
contact with the EU Operation Commander.  
▼M2 
Article 8  
Coherence of EU response  
The HR, the EU Operation Commander and the EU Force Commander 
shall closely coordinate their respective activities regarding the imple ­
mentation of this Joint Action.  ▼B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 8
 
Article 9  
Relations with the United Nations, neighbouring countries and other 
actors 
▼M2 
1. The HR shall act as the primary point of contact with the United 
Nations, the Somali authorities, the authorities of neighbouring countries, and other relevant actors. Within the context of his contact with the African Union, the HR shall be assisted by the EU Special Representative (EUSR) to the African Union.  
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2. At operational level, the EU Operation Commander shall act as the 
contact point with, in particular, ship-owners' organisations, as well as with the relevant departments of the UN General Secretariat and the WFP.
 
Article 10  
Participation by third States  
1. Without prejudice to the decision-making autonomy of the EU or 
to the single institutional framework, and in accordance with the relevant guidelines of the European Council, third States may be invited to participate in the operation.
 
2. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to invite third States to 
offer contributions and to take the relevant decisions on acceptance of the proposed contributions, upon the recommendation of the EU Operation Commander and the EUMC.  
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3. Detailed modalities for the participation by third States shall be the 
subject of agreements concluded in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty. Where the EU and a third State have concluded an agreement establishing a framework for the latter’s partici ­
pation in EU crisis management operations, the provisions of such an agreement shall apply in the context of this operation.  
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4. Third States making significant military contributions to the EU 
military operation shall have the same rights and obligations in terms of day-to-day management of the operation as Member States taking part in the operation.
 
5. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take relevant decisions 
on the setting-up of a Committee of Contributors, should third States provide significant military contributions.
 
6. The conditions for the transfer to a State participating in the 
operation of persons arrested and detained, with a view to the exercise of jurisdiction of that State, shall be established when the participation agreements referred to in paragraph 3 are concluded or implemented.  
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Article 11  
Status of EU-led forces  
The status of the EU-led forces and their personnel, including the 
privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the fulfilment and smooth functioning of their mission, who:
 
— are stationed on the land territory of third States,  ▼B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 9
 
— operate in the territorial or internal waters of third States,  
shall be agreed in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 
of the Treaty.  
▼M4 
Article 12  
Transfer of persons arrested and detained with a view to their 
prosecution  
1. On the basis of Somalia’s acceptance of the exercise of juris ­
diction by Member States or by third States, on the one hand, and Article 105 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on the other hand, persons suspected of intending, as referred to in Articles 101 and 103 of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, to commit, committing or having committed acts of piracy or armed robbery in Somalia’s territorial or internal waters or on the high seas, who are arrested and detained, with a view to their pros ­
ecution, and property used to carry out such acts, shall be transferred:
 
— to the competent authorities of the Member State or of the third 
State participating in the operation, of which the vessel which took them captive flies the flag, or
 
— if that State cannot, or does not wish to, exercise its jurisdiction, to a 
Member State or any third State which wishes to exercise its juris ­
diction over the aforementioned persons and property.  
2. Persons suspected of intending, as referred to in Articles 101 and 
103 of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, to commit, committing or having committed acts of piracy or armed robbery who are arrested and detained, with a view to their prosecution, by Atalanta in the territorial waters, the internal waters or the archipelagic waters of other States in the region in agreement with these States, and property used to carry out such acts, may be trans ­
ferred to the competent authorities of the State concerned, or, with the consent of the State concerned, to the competent authorities of another State.
 
3. No persons referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 may be transferred to 
a third State unless the conditions for the transfer have been agreed with that third State in a manner consistent with relevant international law, notably international law on human rights, in order to guarantee in particular that no one shall be subjected to the death penalty, to torture or to any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.  
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Article 13  
Relations with the flag States of protected vessels  
The conditions governing the presence on board merchant ships, 
particularly those chartered by the WFP, of units belonging to Atalanta, including privileges, immunities and other guarantees relating to the proper conduct of the operation, shall be agreed with the flag States of those vessels.  ▼
M2 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 10
 
Article 14  
Financial arrangements  
1. The common costs of the EU military operation shall be admin ­
istered by Athena.  
2. The financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU 
military operation shall be EUR 8 300 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 33(3) of Athena shall be 30 %.  
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3. The financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU 
military operation for the period from 13 December 2012 until 12 December 2014 shall be EUR 14 900 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 25(1) of Council Decision 2011/871/CFSP shall be 0 %.
 
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4. The financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU 
military operation for the period from 13 December 2014 until 12 December 2016 shall be EUR 14 775 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 25(1) of Decision 2011/871/CFSP shall be 0 %.
 
▼M2 
Article 15  
Release of information to the United Nations and other third parties  
1. The HR is hereby authorised to release to the United Nations and 
to other third parties associated with this Joint Action, classified EU 
information and documents generated for the purposes of the EU 
military operation up to the level of classification appropriate for each of them and in accordance with the Council’s security regulations (
 1 ). 
2. The HR is hereby authorised to release to the United Nations and 
to other third parties associated with this Joint Action, unclassified EU documents relating to Council deliberations on the operation which are covered by the obligation of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Council’s Rules of Procedure (
 2 ). 
▼M3 
3. The HR is hereby authorised to release to the United States-led 
Coalition Maritime Force (‘CMF’), through its Headquarters, as well as to third States not participating in CMF and to international organi ­
sations, which are present in the area of the EU military operation, classified EU information and documents generated for the purposes of the EU military operation at the level RESTREINT UE, on the basis of reciprocity, where such release at theatre level is necessary for operational reasons, in accordance with the Council’s security regu ­
lations and subject to arrangements between the HR and the competent 
authorities of the third parties referred to above.
 ▼B 2008E0851 — EN — 21.11.2014 — 005.001 — 11  
( 1 ) Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council’s 
security regulations (OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1). 
( 2 ) Council Decision 2009/937/EU of 1 December 2009 adopting the Council’s 
Rules of Procedure (OJ L 325, 11.12.2009, p. 35).
 Article 16  
Entry into force and termination  
1. This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.  
2. Joint Action 2008/749/CFSP shall be repealed as from the date of 
closure of the coordination cell put in place by that Joint Action. It shall be closed on the launch date of the operation referred to in Article 6 of this Joint Action.  
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3. The EU military operation shall terminate on 12 December 2016.  
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4. This Joint Action shall be repealed following the withdrawal of 
the EU force, in accordance with the plans approved for the termination of the EU military operation, and without prejudice to the relevant provisions of Athena.
 
Article 17  
Publication  
1. This Joint Action shall be published in the  Official Journal of the 
European Union . 
2. The PSC's decisions on the appointment of an EU Operation 
Commander and/or EU Force Commander, as well as the PSC's decisions on the acceptance of contributions from third States and the setting-up of a Committee of Contributors shall likewise be published in the Official Journal of the European Union . ▼
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