
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2019/1613 of 25 September 2019 on the appointment of the EU Operation 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) (ATALANTA/3/2019) 

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 (Atalanta), and in particular Article 6 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 decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation 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 (‘EU Operation Commander’).

(2) On 30 July 2018, Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1083 appointed Vice Admiral Antonio MARTORELL LACAVE as EU Operation Commander as of 29 March 2019.

(3) The Spanish Military Authorities have proposed that Major General Antonio PLANELLS PALAU succeed Vice Admiral Antonio MARTORELL LACAVE as EU Operation Commander.

(4) On 5 September 2019, the EU Military Committee supported the nomination of Major General Antonio PLANELLS PALAU as EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta Operational Commander as of 1 October 2019.

(5) 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 
Major General Antonio PLANELLS PALAU is hereby appointed EU Operation 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, as from 1 October 2019.
Article 2 
This Decision shall apply from 1 October 2019.
Done at Brussels, 25 September 2019.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
S. FROM-EMMESBERGER