Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

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

Whereas:

On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472^f1 establishing and launching a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI), under the command of Rear Admiral Fabio AGOSTINI as EU Operation Commander.

On 30 April 2020, the EU Operation Commander recommended that Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI be appointed EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI for the first half of the remaining term of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI's mandate, and that Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS be appointed EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI for the second half of the remaining term.

On 4 May 2020, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.

On 6 May 2020, the Political and Security Committee agreed to that recommendation.

For operational reasons, it is necessary for the appointment of the EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI to apply from 6 May 2020.

Rear Admiral Ettore SOCCI should therefore be appointed EU Force Commander of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020, and Commodore Theodoros MIKROPOULOS from 19 October 2020 until 31 March 2021.

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 implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications. Consequently, Denmark is not participating in the adoption of this Decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: