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)
Date: 2021-07-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU military mission, Somalia, appointment of members, deterrent, maritime safety, military personnel, piracy, theft








L_2021257EN.01000101.xml










19.7.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 257/1








            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)


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).












(2)


On 17 March 2021 the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/471 (2), appointing Rear Admiral Luca Pasquale ESPOSITO as EU Force Commander for Atalanta.












(3)


The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Captain Alejandro CUERDA LORENZO as the new EU Force Commander as from 4 August 2021. The Spanish authorities have indicated that Captain Alejandro CUERDA LORENZO will be promoted to Rear Admiral upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.












(4)


On 21 June 2021 the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.












(5)


Decision (CFSP) 2021/471 should therefore be repealed.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,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Rear Admiral Alejandro CUERDA LORENZO 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 4 August 2021.


Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2021/471 is hereby repealed.


Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall apply from 4 August 2021.




Done at Brussels, 15 July 2021.


For the Political and Security Committee


The Chairperson

S. FROM-EMMESBERGER
            





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

(2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2021/471 of 17 March 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) 2020/1826 (ATALANTA/2/2021) (OJ L 98, 19.3.2021, p. 1).