Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP^f1 establishing the European Union military operation Atalanta.

On 21 November 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/827/CFSP^f2 amending Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP and extended Atalanta until 12 December 2016.

The Union has set up the CRIMARIO programme to enhance maritime situational awareness in the Indian Ocean. Atalanta should contribute to the implementation of CRIMARIO within its means and capabilities.

Atalanta should be allowed to share with relevant partners information, other than personal data, gathered on illegal or unauthorised maritime activities during the course of routine counter-piracy operations.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2244 (2015) extended the mandate of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG), in particular as regards the Somalia arms embargo and the import and export of Somali charcoal, and welcomed the efforts of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in their efforts to disrupt the export and import of charcoal to and from Somalia, while expressing concern that the charcoal trade provides funding for Al-Shabaab.

Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: