POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2022/41

of 10 January 2022

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) 2021/1184 (ATALANTA/1/2022)

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) (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(2) On 15 July 2021, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1184 (2) appointing Rear Admiral Alejandro CUERDA LORENZO as the EU Force Commander. Rear Admiral Alejandro CUERDA LORENZO exercised command until 14 December 2021.

(3) The EU Operation Commander, Vice Admiral José M. NÚŇEZ TORRENTE, has exercised command as the EU Force Commander ad interim since 14 December 2021.

(4) The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain (Navy) João Paulo SILVA PEREIRA as the new EU Force Commander as from 12 January 2022. The Portuguese authorities have indicated that Captain (Navy) João Paulo SILVA PEREIRA will be promoted to Commodore upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.

(5) On 17 November 2021, the EU Military Committee agreed to the recommendation from the EU Operation Commander.

(6) Decision (CFSP) 2021/1184 should therefore be repealed.

(7) 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 Commodore João Paulo SILVA PEREIRA 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 12 January 2022.

Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2021/1184 is hereby repealed.

Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on 12 January 2022.

Done at Brussels, 10 January 2022. For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson D. PRONK

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

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2021/1184 of 15 July 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) 2021/471 (ATALANTA/4/2021) (OJ L 257, 19.7.2021, p. 1).