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)
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Address https://gelex.eu/eli/EU/decision/2026/1060@2026-05-05/en
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), 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 3 February 2026, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/310, appointing Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI as EU Force Commander as from 20 February 2026.
(4) On 11 February 2026, the Spanish military authorities proposed the appointment of Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ to succeed Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria MARTINUZZI as EU Force Commander (the proposed appointment) as from 10 June 2026.
(5) On 16 March 2026, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA supported the proposed appointment.
(6) On 20 March 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ be appointed as EU Force Commander.
(7) A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ as EU Force Commander should be taken.
(8) Decision (CFSP) 2026/310 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Rear Admiral Francisco Javier VÁZQUEZ SANZ 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 June 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2026/310 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 10 June 2026.
Done at Brussels, 5 May 2026. For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson P. Mavrikios