COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/735

of 12 May 2022

amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 in order to bring forward the end of the term of office of the current Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union and to bring forward the appointment of the next Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 240 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2001/79/CFSP of 22 January 2001 setting up the Military Committee of the European Union (1), and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Decision 2001/79/CFSP, the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union (‘the Military Committee’) is to be appointed by the Council on the recommendation of the Military Committee meeting at the level of the Chiefs of Defence. According to Article 3(2) of that Decision, the term of office of the Chairman of the Military Committee is 3 years, unless the Council decides otherwise.

(2) By Decision (CFSP) 2018/297 (2), the Council appointed General Claudio GRAZIANO as Chairman of the Military Committee for a period of 3 and a half years from 6 November 2018. By Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 (3), the Council extended the term of office of General Claudio GRAZIANO as Chairman of the Military Committee until 31 May 2022.

(3) At its meeting on 19 May 2021, the Military Committee meeting at the level of the Chiefs of Defence recommended that General Robert BRIEGER be appointed Chairman of the Military Committee, as successor to General Claudio GRAZIANO, for a period of 3 years.

(4) By Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200, the Council appointed General Robert BRIEGER Chairman of the Military Committee from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2025.

(5) On 25 April 2022, General Claudio GRAZIANO informed the Coreper that he must cease his duties as Chairman of the Military Committee on 15 May 2022.

(6) The end of the term of office of General Claudio GRAZIANO as Chairman of the Military Committee should therefore be brought forward to 15 May 2022, and the appointment of General Robert BRIEGER as Chairman of the Military Committee should be brought forward to 16 May 2022.

(7) Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 is amended as follows: (1) Article 1 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 1 The term of office of General Claudio GRAZIANO as Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union is hereby extended until 15 May 2022.’. (2) Article 2 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 2 General Robert BRIEGER is hereby appointed Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union from 16 May 2022 to 31 May 2025.’.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 12 May 2022. For the Council The President J.-Y. LE DRIAN

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.2001, p. 4.

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/297 of 20 February 2018 appointing the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union (OJ L 56, 28.2.2018, p. 33).

(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 of 19 July 2021 extending the term of office of the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union and appointing the next Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union (OJ L 259, 21.7.2021, p. 6).