LegalizePolitical and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/2204 of 24 September 2026 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1060 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/3/2026)
| Image omitted; see official source | Official Journal of the European Union | EN L series |
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| 2026/2204 | 7.10.2026 |
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 maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) [^ntr1-L_202602204EN.000101-E0001], and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
- (1) On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, which provides for a European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA).
- (2) 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 Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (the ‘EU Force Commander’).
- (3) On 5 May 2026, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1060 [^ntr2-L_202602204EN.000101-E0002], appointing Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ as EU Force Commander as from 10 June 2026.
- (4) On 16 July 2026, the Portuguese military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain José João RODRIGUES PEDRA to succeed Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ as EU Force Commander (‘the proposed appointment’). The Portuguese military authorities indicated that Captain José João RODRIGUES PEDRA would be promoted to Commodore upon his appointment as EU Force Commander.
- (5) On 22 July 2026, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment.
- (6) On 27 July 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Captain José João RODRIGUES PEDRA be appointed as EU Force Commander.
- (7) A decision on the appointment of Captain José João RODRIGUES PEDRA as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ATALANTA as from 10 October 2026 should be taken.
- (8) Decision (CFSP) 2026/1060 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Commodore José João RODRIGUES PEDRA is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) as from 10 October 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2026/1060 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 10 October 2026.
Done at Brussels, 24 September 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
L. MANDEL VENSILD
[^ntr1-L_202602204EN.000101-E0001]: OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/joint_action/2008/851/oj.
[^ntr2-L_202602204EN.000101-E0002]: Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/1060 of 5 May 2026 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2026/310 (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA/2/2026) (OJ L, 2026/1060, 11.5.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1060/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/2204/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)
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